HI HR44

Request that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency establish a two-year task force in conjunction with the Department of Transportation's Harbors Division to address findings from the July 2022 Hawaii Maritime Transportation Resiliency Assessment report.

Task force must address three key findings: lack of formalization and testing for alternate port and Reverse Hub and Spoke concepts; insufficient security protocols in Memorandums of Understanding and agency plans; and insufficient examination of alternate ports other than Pearl Harbor.

Task force membership shall include the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator (as Chairperson), the Deputy Director of Transportation for the Harbors Division, and the Executive Director of the Hawaii Harbors Users Group or their designee.

Task force must submit a preliminary report to the Legislature by December 1, 2023, and a final report by December 1, 2024, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.

Task force is authorized to invite additional representatives from other organizations to participate as necessary in addressing the resiliency enhancement options.