Modernization

The Department of Transportation came before the House Committee on Transportation today to provide status reports on all Harbors, Airports and Highways projects. Harbors and Airports divisions have started respective Modernization Plans. This past session bills to authorize a Highways Modernization Plan failed to pass and will carrry over to next session. SB1611. HB1167. The legislation proposes to raise fees and taxes to pay for needed improvements. Given the fiscal climate, the administration proposed to insert a trigger of two consecutive quarters of economic growth prior to assessing the fee/tax increases.

HARBORS

*The Harbors Modernization Plan (HMP) was passed into law as Act 200 in June 2008. It is budgeted at $618 million.

*The HMP is funded by special purpose revenue bonds supported by tariff increases. Industry users understand the need for the increase and support it.

*The HMP project co-managers are Sandy Pfund (ATDC) and Marshall Ando (DOT Harbors).

*First bond issuance of $120 million - First Qtr. FY11:
+Honolulu, Pier 35 improvements for UH SOEST Marine Center
+Hilo, Pier 4 construction
+Kahului Harbor land acquisition/improvements
+Kawaihae Harbor terminal yard improvements

*Second bond issuance of $200 million - FY15:
+KMR deep draft wharfs
+Shipyard relocation, Honolulu Harbor
+Honolulu Harbor, Pier 29
+Hilo Harbor, Pier 4
+Nawiliwili Harbor Pier 2

*Third ($155 million) and Fourth ($143 million) bond issuances after FY15.

AIRPORTS

*$2.3 billion Airports Modernization Program underway

*First bond issuance of $142 million - Second Qtr FY10
+Mauka Concourse Phase I
+HNL safety and security projects
+Ewa Concourse Sterile corridor
+Kona Terminal design
+Kahului Airfield improvements
+Kahului safety and security projects
+Lihue land acquisition
+Hilo Cargo facility

*Second bond issuance of $391 million - Third Qtr FY11
+Mauka Concourse program Phase II

*Photovoltaic projects. The Airports Division is one of the top 3 energy users in the state, with an electricity bill of $2 million per month. Photovoltaic technology has reduced their energy costs by 20%.

HIGHWAYS

*KAUAI, Kuhio Highway - Short term improvements, Highway widening, cane haul bridge widening. Widening expected to be advertised Nov. 2009.

*KAUAI, Kaumualii Highway - Widening, Phase IA from Lihue Bridge to Anonui Street. Processing award for construction.

*MAUI, Honoapiilani Highway - Widening, Aholo to Lahainaluna. To begin shortly.

*MAUI, Honoapiilani Highway - Realignment, Phase IA and IB-1. Started.

*MAUI, Kihei-Upcountry Highway - Design in progress, to be completed late 2009.

*BIG ISLAND, Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widending - Henry St. to Kona Airport. Phase I estimated completion by October 2009. Phase II, preparing to re-advertise project.

*BIG ISLAND, Saddle Road Improvements, MP 19-11. Project awarded September 2009.

*BIG ISLAND, Keaau-Pahoa Road, Shoulder Lane Conversion. Design in progress.

*OAHU, Fort Weaver Road Widening, Expected to be completed December 2009.

*OAHU, North-South Road. Multi-lane roadway from Kapolei Parkway to diamond interchange at H-1. Phase 1A completed. Phase 1B scehduled for January 2010 completion. Phase 1C - Dedication scheduled for October 2009.

*OAHU, Kapolei Interchange. In progress.

*OAHU, H-1 Pearl City and Waimalu Viaduct Repairs. In progress.

*OAHU, H-1 PM Contraflow. Planning.

*OAHU, Middle Street Merge. Environmental Assessment in progress. Proposals late 2010.

Superferry hearing at the Capitol set for Thursday; How to Testify

The House Transportation and Finance committees will hear public testimony on the draft Superferry legislation this Thursday at 9 a.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium (chamber level). Click here for the hearing notice and here for a copy of the draft legislation.

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY:
Deliver hard copies of testimony to the House Chief Clerk's Office (State Capitol, Room 027) OR send testimony by email. Either way, testifiers will be given a registration number, which will serve as their place number on the testifier's list. Testimony should be less than 5 pages in length.

Paper Hard Copy: One original document may be hand-delivered to the House Chief Clerk's Office. The testifier will be given a registration number for the testifiers' list.

Email: Testifiers should first determine whether they want to testify in person or just submit testimony for the record and not testify in person. To testify in person, send testimony to: HouseTestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov. Testifiers will receive a reply confirming acceptance of the testimony and their assigned registration number.

To simply send testimony for the record (and not appear at the hearing) send testimony to HouseRecord@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

Testimony will be accepted until the end of the hearing, but the earlier testimony is submitted, the earlier the person will be called to speak at the hearing. The Chairs will go in numerical order according to registration numbers.

After the start of the hearing, and once the chairs start to move through the testifier list, testimony that has been presented will be posted for public viewing online at the Capitol website.

PARKING:
Metered stalls are located at the State Capitol (Miller Street entrance), Iolani Palace, U.S. Post Office, Kalanimoku Building (entrance from Punchbowl Street or Beretania Street), City and County parking lot (entrance from South Street or Beretania Street), Department of Health (Punchbowl street entrance) and street parking along Richards Street. There are numerous public parking lots in downtown Honolulu, but the closest to the Capitol is at Alii Place (Alakea Street entrance)

CABLECAST:
The hearing will be broadcast live on Olelo, public access television, Ch. 54.

INFO DESK:
An information desk will be located directly outside the Auditorium. You may go there for general information and questions, to track testifiers, confirm registration numbers, etc.