Summary — HCR 137 (2025)
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO IMPLEMENT VISIBILITY ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ON THE KUAHELANI AVENUE CROSSWALK AT KIPAPA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Purpose / Intent
HCR 137 is a concurrent resolution urging state and local agencies to implement visibility and traffic-calming measures at the Kuahelani Avenue crosswalk located at Kipapa Elementary School in Mililani. The resolution cites pedestrian safety data and federal guidance to justify enhancements intended to better protect students and other pedestrians.
Key provisions
The resolution requests that the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Education (DOE), and City & County of Honolulu take the following actions at the Kipapa Elementary crosswalk on Kuahelani Avenue:
- Install warning signage on the approach to the crosswalk, particularly before the curve on Kuahelani Avenue.
- Construct speed bumps and install corresponding signage near the crosswalk to reduce vehicular speeds.
- Install a "STOP Here for Pedestrians" sign up to 50 feet in advance of the crosswalk.
- Outfit the crosswalk with a solar-powered, rapid flashing crosswalk sign to alert drivers to pedestrians.
The resolution also requests that certified copies be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Superintendent of Education, Chair of the Board of Education, the Mayor of Honolulu, and the Chair of the Honolulu City Council.
Location and problem description
- Location: Kuahelani Avenue crosswalk at Kipapa Elementary School, Mililani.
- Problem: High vehicle volumes and speeds on Kuahelani (which connects to a major highway), a curve and parked vehicles that reduce driver sightlines, and current measures (painted stripes and crossing guards) are judged insufficient.
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: students, school staff, parents, and pedestrians who use the crosswalk.
- Implementing entities: DOT, DOE, City & County of Honolulu and local traffic/engineering staff.
- Road users: drivers on Kuahelani Avenue may experience changes (reduced speeds, traffic-calming features).
Procedural status and timeline
- Introduced: April 16, 2025
- Passed by Legislature: May 31, 2025 (read & adopted; enrolled)
- Signed by Governor: June 20, 2025
- Classification: Concurrent resolution (urging action; not an appropriation or law)
Legal effect and implementation considerations
- As a concurrent resolution, HCR 137 expresses legislative intent and urges action but does not appropriate funds or create binding obligations. Implementation would require agency approval, design work, possible traffic studies, budgeting, and coordination between state and city agencies.
- The resolution references federal guidance (FHWA) and safety statistics cited therein (NHTSA pedestrian fatalities/injuries for 2022) to support the requested measures.
Sponsors and related measures
- Primary sponsors: Representatives Alcos, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Matsumoto, Shimizu, La Chica, and Kusch.
- Companion: HR 131.
Overall, HCR 137 signals legislative support for targeted, low-cost safety upgrades at a school crosswalk to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce vehicle speeds, while leaving implementation details and funding to the named agencies.
