H.C.R. No. 88 Summary

• Urges the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Transportation Highways Division, and Hawaii County to collectively develop a plan to improve Mealani Road and establish a protocol for its use as an emergency bypass route when Mamalahoa Highway is inaccessible.

• Identifies Mamalahoa Highway as the only road providing entry and exit from the east side of Waimea in Hawaii County, with closures causing significant problems for residents accessing school, work, and essential services.

• Designates Mealani Road, an unimproved road under Department of Hawaiian Home Lands jurisdiction, as the only existing potential emergency bypass route during times when Mamalahoa Highway is blocked.

• Requests a report from relevant agencies no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021 describing the plan to improve Mealani Road and establish the emergency bypass protocol.

• References successful prior collaboration between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Hawaii County on improvements to Kahilu Road for emergency access in Waimea.