Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HR146: Requesting the County of Hawai I to Expand the Hele-on Shared Ride Program to Serve the Entire Island of Hawai I, Including Rural and Underserved Areas Such as West Hawai I, North Kohala, South Kohala, Ka, and Puna.
Status: Passed both chambers, April 2, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII U HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I TO EXPAND THE HELE-ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM TO SERVE THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF HAWAI'I, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS SUCH AS WEST HAWAI'I, NORTH KOHALA, SOUTH KOHALA, KA'U, AND PUNA. WHEREAS, reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation is a critical component of public infrastructure that enables residents to meet basic needs, maintain independence, and fully participate in their communities; and WHEREAS, individuals with disabilities, kupuna, and residents with chronic health conditions often rely on specialized or accessible transportation services to attend medical appointments, obtain prescriptions, access supportive services, and maintain their overall health and well-being; and WHEREAS, residents of rural and geographically isolated areas of the island of Hawai'i face disproportionate transportation barriers due to long travel distances, limited fixed-route bus service, and a lack of on-demand transportation options; and WHEREAS, these barriers are particularly acute in west Hawai'i, Ka'ü, North Kohala, and South Kohala, where access to health care facilities, social services, and employment opportunities often requires long-distance travel; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i Mass Transit Agency currently operates the Hele-On Shared Ride Program exclusively in east Hawai'i, offering subsidized, on-demand transportation services that are accessible to individuals who use mobility devices; and WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2023, the Hele-On Shared Ride …
Sponsors
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Elijah Pierick (R, 39)
- Garner Shimizu (R, 32)
- Adrian Tam (D, 24)
- David Tarnas (D, 8)
Latest actions
- : Resolution adopted in final form.
- : Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Reported from TRN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1782-26), recommending adoption.
- : The committee on TRN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Miyake, Evslin, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Cochran, Muraoka, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
- : Resolution scheduled to be heard by TRN on Tuesday, 03-31-26 10:00AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Referred to TRN, referral sheet 19
- : Offered
Votes
- Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 2, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- TRN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 31, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Counties
Common questions
- What is HR146?
- HR146 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the County of Hawai I to Expand the Hele-on Shared Ride Program to Serve the Entire Island of Hawai I, Including Rural and Underserved Areas Such as West Hawai I, North Kohala, South Kohala, Ka, and Puna.
- What is the status of HR146?
- Passed both chambers as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Resolution adopted in final form. (April 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR146?
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HR146?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=146&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.