Hawaii SR 98: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAII ISLAND UTILIZED BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.

Bill Text

THE SENATE
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
MAR 0 7 2025
S.R. NO.
SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I TO
CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF BUS STOPS ON HAWAI‘I ISLAND UTILIZED
BY CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO
IMPROVE SAFETY AT EACH LOCATION.
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WHEREAS, ensuring the safety of Hawai‘i's keiki as they
travel to and from school is a paramount concern for families,
educators, and policymakers; and
WHEREAS, unlike other islands in the State, many students
on Hawai‘i island face unique transportation challenges,
including long travel distances, limited access to school bus
services, and reliance on the County of Hawai‘i's Hele-On public
transportation system through special arrangements with the
Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, these challenges are compounded by bus route
limitations, road infrastructure deficiencies, and the absence
of safe, dedicated school bus stops in certain rural and
underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, the availability and staffing of active bus routes
are critical concerns, as many school transportation services
struggle with driver shortages, funding constraints, and an
insufficient number of routes to accommodate all students safely
and efficiently; and
WHEREAS, the need for additional bus routes has become
increasingly evident, particularly in remote communities where
children must walk long distances along unsafe roads to reach
their nearest bus stop or school; and
WHEREAS, poorly designed or maintained bus stops, lack of
proper lighting, insufficient pedestrian crossings, and
hazardous traffic conditions pose significant risks to children;
and
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S.R. NO.
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WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of existing bus stops on
Hawai‘i island used by school-aged children is necessary to
identify deficiencies and develop recommendations for
improvements; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third
Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025,
that the Department of Education is urged to collaborate with
the Department of Transportation and the County of Hawai‘i to
conduct an inventory of bus stops on Hawai‘i island utilized by
children to travel to school and develop strategies to improve
safety at each location; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this inventory is requested to
include an assessment of safety conditions at each bus stop,
including but not limited to:
(1) The presence and condition of sidewalks and
crosswalks;
(2) Adequate lighting and visibility;
(3) Traffic patterns and congestion;
(4) Proximity to high speed roadways;
(5) The availability of shelters and seating;
(6) The adequacy of current bus routes in meeting student
transportation needs; and
(7) Any other potential hazards affecting student safety;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, in
coordination with the Department of Transportation and the
County of Hawai‘i, is requested to develop recommendations and
propose strategies to enhance the safety of these bus stops,
including infrastructure improvements, traffic calming measures,
additional bus routes, and community engagement initiatives; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is
requested to submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including a prioritized list of bus stops in
need of immediate safety improvements, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the
Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of
Transportation, and Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i.
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