URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT METHODS ALONG THE HANA HIGHWAY.

HR56

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

56

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENGAGE WITH
THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
METHODS ALONG THE HaNA HIGHWAY
.

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WHEREAS, the
Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining traffic safety
along state highways, including maintaining adequate sight distance so highway
users can safely observe oncoming vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and roadside
infrastructure such as guardrails and signs; and

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WHEREAS, identifying
vegetation management practices that maintain roadway safety and reduce
hazardous risk while minimizing environmental impacts is an important public
safety objective for the State; and

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WHEREAS, the
Department of Public Works of the County of Hawaii banned the use of Roundup
and other products containing glyphosate along state highways in 2023; and

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WHEREAS, the Department
of Transportation continues to utilize herbicides such as Garlon (triclopyr)
and other United States Environmental Protection Agency-registered products for
vegetation management and has established procedures governing their use, which
are currently being implemented on state highways, including on Maui; and

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WHEREAS, safety
data sheets and hazard classifications for certain herbicides used for roadside
vegetation management indicate that products such as Finale XL and Garlon may
pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems if exposure is not properly
controlled; and

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WHEREAS, the
Hana Highway spans approximately sixty-four miles along coastal areas, rivers,
streams, and drainage systems, raising concerns among community members
regarding potential environmental impacts from herbicidal vegetation management
practices along the corridor; and

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WHEREAS, the
Hana Highway corridor traverses numerous coastal watersheds, streams, and
nearshore marine environments that support native ecosystems and traditional
native Hawaiian cultural practices, including agricultural and subsistence
ocean activities; and

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WHEREAS, the
protection of Hawaii's watersheds, streams, and coastal resources is a matter
of statewide concern and is recognized as a public trust responsibility of the
State under article XI, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution; and

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WHEREAS, vegetation
management practices conducted along roadways that intersect these sensitive
environmental areas may have downstream impacts on water quality, aquatic life,
and culturally significant resources relied upon by surrounding communities;
and

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WHEREAS, East
Maui contains some of the most significant traditional agricultural systems in
the State, including loi kalo cultivation that relies on clean stream water,
and residents, cultural practitioners, and community members have expressed
concern regarding the potential impacts of chemical vegetation management
practices on streams and other public trust resources and drainage corridors
and have requested that alternative control methods be explored; and

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WHEREAS, residents
along the Hana Highway have expressed a desire to engage with the Department of
Transportation to explore vegetation management approaches that maintain
roadway safety while reducing or eliminating the use of herbicides; now,
therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation
is urged to examine and identify alternative vegetation management methods that
would eliminate or significantly reduce the use of synthetic chemical
herbicides along the Hana Highway while maintaining roadway safety; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to hold public
meetings in East Maui to hear concerns and develop solutions, including:

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(1)
�
Reviewing current vegetation management
practices used along the Hana Highway;

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(2)
�
Examining existing alternative vegetation
management methods to reduce or eliminate synthetic chemical herbicide use;

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(3)
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Exploring and implementing additional and
out-of-the-box vegetation management strategies developed in consultation with
community stakeholders;

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(4)
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Considering and discussing the use of organic,
eco-friendly herbicides; and

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(5)
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Identifying and recommending best practices
for maintaining roadside vegetation along the Hana Highway while minimizing or
eliminating herbicide use; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to explore
opportunities for community-based stewardship and monitoring efforts that may
assist the Department in identifying vegetation management needs along the Hana
Highway; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to continue to
fulfill its responsibility to maintain Hana Highway and the road to Hana and maintain
its budgetary commitments while participating in this process; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to engage in good
faith with community stakeholders in East Maui to develop vegetation management
approaches that maintain roadway safety while minimizing environmental and
public health concerns; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to consider whether
the process developed through this engagement may serve as a model for
community engagement and vegetation management planning along other state
highways; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of Transportation.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

DOT;
Hana Highway; Alternative Vegetation Management Methods