Bill Text: HI HCR157 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution 157

Introduced

Bill Title: Urging The United States And The State To Recognize And Address The Air Transportation Crisis On Molokai And Lna`i.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-03 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HCR157 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HCR157-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	157
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE AIR TRANSPORTation CRISIS ON MOLOKAI AND LĀNA`I.

WHEREAS, Hawaii is an island state where residents rely primarily on air transportation services; and

WHEREAS, Molokai and Lāna`i residents face a unique struggle with the high cost and inconsistency of air travel and the lack of sufficient access to critical medical care; and

WHEREAS, prior to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Makani Kai Air, Ohana by Hawaiian Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines provided air transportation services to the islands of Molokai and Lāna`i; and

WHEREAS, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Makani Kai Air and Ohana by Hawaiian Airlines both ceased operations, leaving only Mokulele Airlines to provide air transportation services to Molokai and Lāna`i; and

WHEREAS, many Hawaii residents who live in rural and remote communities must regularly travel to urban areas of the State to access specialized healthcare as well as many routine treatments, including residents of Molokai and Lāna`i who are dependent upon air transportation to travel for nonemergency but critical medical care; and

WHEREAS, generally, the provision of air transportation services has become increasingly expensive and unreliable, with frequent and unexpected flight reassignments and cancellations; and

WHEREAS, this issue causes many residents seeking medical care to miss critical appointments, including chemotherapy treatments and surgeries that can take weeks or months to reschedule; and

WHEREAS, this issue has also caused treatable non-emergency conditions to develop into conditions requiring critical emergency care; and

WHEREAS, federal regulations hinder the State's ability to manage air transportation and thus forestall any attempt to improve the situation for residents of Molokai and Lāna`i; and

WHEREAS, therefore, the lack of dependable air transportation for residents of Lāna`i and Molokai means that residents no longer have reliable access to critical healthcare services, causing the situation to now constitute a crisis; and

WHEREAS, improved air transportation services to Molokai and Lāna`i would ensure that affected residents have access to a broader range of off-island healthcare services and could help to attract highly skilled medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, improving air transportation services to Molokai and Lāna`i would also significantly reduce the stress and logistical challenges associated with traveling for necessary healthcare, business, and other personal appointments, meetings, and needs; and

WHEREAS, addressing the air transport crisis on Molokai and Lāna`i and ensuring the provision of reliable air transportation services for these communities would also help to ensure greater inclusivity and equity in the provision of healthcare services to all residents; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the United States and the State are urged to recognize and take action to address the ongoing air transport crisis on Molokai and Lāna`i; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; Majority Leader of the United States Senate; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; United States Secretary of State; United States Secretary of Transportation; Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's Subcommittee on Aviation, Safety, and Operations; Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation; Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus; Administrator of the United States Federal Aviation Administration; members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Governor of Hawaii; and the Chief Executive Officer of Mokulele Airlines.