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HCR 154

REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO EXPAND THE HELE-ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM TO SERVE THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS SUCH AS WEST HAWAIʻI, NORTH KOHALA, SOUTH KOHALA, KAʻŪ, AND PUNA.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 11 co-sponsors

Urges Hawaii County to expand Hele-On Shared Ride island-wide to rural areas, prioritizing accessibility, health care access, and partnerships, with phased plans based on funding.

The committee(s) on EIG/TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 04-16-26 3:30PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
#countyofhawaii #expansion #hele-onsharedrideprogram
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Bill Summary · HCR 154

Summary of Bill HCR 154 (Session 2026, Hawaii)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution requests the County of Hawaiʻi to expand the Hele-On Shared Ride Program to serve the entire island of Hawaiʻi.
  • Target underserved and rural areas identified: west Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, and Puna.
  • Overall goals: expand transportation equity, support independent living for people with disabilities, improve access to health care and essential services, and reduce urban-rural disparities in transportation.

2) Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  • Formal request to expand the Hele-On Shared Ride Program (currently operating only in East Hawaiʻi/Hilo) to the entire island.
  • Focus areas for expansion include rural and underserved communities such as:
    • West Hawaiʻi
    • North Kohala
    • South Kohala
    • Kaʻū
    • Puna
  • Priorities for the Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (MTA):
    1. Ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities; maintain ADA-compliant vehicles that can accommodate mobility devices.
    2. Collaborate with local taxi, shared-ride, and transportation providers to increase service in areas currently lacking coverage.
    3. Consider the program as a means to improve access to health care services (medical appointments, pharmacies, supportive care) for kupuna, people with disabilities, and residents without personal vehicles.
    4. Explore phased implementation, pilots, or other cost-effective strategies for island-wide expansion, contingent on available funding.
  • Administrative steps:
    • Certification and transmission of the resolution to local government officials and the County MTA Administrator.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Residents of the Island of Hawaiʻi, particularly:
    • Those in rural and underserved areas (West Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, Puna).
    • Individuals with disabilities who require accessible transportation.
    • Kupuna and residents with chronic health conditions who rely on non-private-vehicle travel for medical appointments and medications.
  • County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency (Hawaiʻi MTA) would take the lead on expansion, accessibility compliance, and inter-provider coordination.
  • Local transportation partners (taxi services and shared-ride providers) via collaboration efforts.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative status:
    • Concurrent Resolution (HCR 154) introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives, with Senate concurrence requested.
    • It is a resolution urging the County of Hawaiʻi to proceed with expansion, not a bill mandating funding or immediate statutory changes.
  • Action history highlights:
    • Referred to committees (EIG/TRS) and scheduled public hearing (April 16, 2026).
    • Passed the House TRN committee with unanimous support (as of late March 2026) and transmitted to the Senate.
    • Senate actions anticipated following receipt.
  • Funding and implementation timeline:
    • The resolution invites consideration of phased implementation, pilots, or other cost-effective approaches, contingent on available funding. No specific dollar amounts or dates for expansion are provided in the text of the resolution itself.
  • Transmission:
    • If adopted, certified copies are to be sent to the Mayor of Hawaiʻi County, Chair of the Hawaiʻi County Council, and the MTA Administrator.

5) Context and Rationale

  • Addresses transportation gaps in rural Hawaiʻi that affect health care access, independence, and social participation.
  • Aligns with goals of equity in public transit and integration with existing Hele-On fixed-route services.
  • Seeks to leverage partnerships with local providers to extend service to areas lacking current coverage.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated purposes and provisions as written in HCR 154. It does not mandate immediate funding or a fixed implementation date, but encourages planning and phased expansion subject to funding availability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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