Eight state House members want more time for the public to comment on a transportation emissions reduction plan that could raise costs for consumers in Hawaii.
The public has until Thursday to comment on the draft plan produced by the state Department of Transportation.
Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-Maili ) and seven colleagues have asked HDOT to extend the comment period to Aug. 30 and to host more informational briefings about the plan.
“We recognize and appreciate the Department’s leadership in crafting a forward-looking climate adaptation and decarbonization strategy for Hawaii’s transportation systems, ” the letter states. “However, the breadth and scale of the proposals warrant greater opportunity for public engagement and legislative review.”
The plan aims to largely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from ground, air and ocean transportation vehicles in the state by 2045.
HDOT’s plan largely focuses on establishing clean fuel requirements for cars, passenger jets and cargo ships. These changes will involve a big expense, which has yet to be estimated but is expected to add to what residents pay for fuel, groceries, airfare and other things.
Other elements in the plan include dramatically reducing cruise ship visits in Hawaii, expanding pedestrian and bicycle path networks, building more public electric vehicle fast-charging stations, planting thousands of native trees and developing an analytical tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts on all HDOT projects.
“This isn’t just a policy document, ” Kila said in a statement. “These proposals will have real and lasting impacts on families, kupuna (seniors ), workers, and businesses across Hawaii. The best plans are those built with the community, not handed down to them. … The public deserves more time and more opportunities to be heard.”
Kila, chair of the House Committee on Transportation, signed the bipartisan letter with all but one member of the committee.
Those signing on to the letter were Reps. Elle Cochran (D, Waihee-Lahaina-Lahainaluna ), Luke Evslin (D, Wailua-Lihue ), Tina Grandinetti (D, Kahala-Kaimuki-Kapahulu ), Lisa Kitagawa (D, Kaaawa-Kahaluu-Kaneohe ), Trish La Chica (D, Waipio-Mililani ), Tyson Miyake (D, Wailuku-Waikapu ) and Chris Muraoka (R, Waianae-Makaha ).
Rep. Elijah Pierick (R, Royal Kunia-Waipahu-Honouliuli ) did not join the other committee members.
So far, one virtual public meeting has been held on the plan. Two more meetings are scheduled for July 27 and 28 via Zoom. To find links to the meetings, the 205-page plan and to comment on the plan, visit.
Under HDOT’s plan, the agency aims to settle on a final plan by Aug. 27.