THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	263
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

convening A public racing facility working group to locate and establish a public racing facility on oahu to improve safety, boost economic activity, and provide for recreation.

 

 

        WHEREAS, automobile racing has a long and storied history in Hawaii, encompassing drag racing, dirty track racing, rally racing, karting, and road racing, among others; and

 

        WHEREAS, race track facilities have existed in every county in Hawaii and have been used for training courses by law enforcement, state and county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the general public; and

 

        WHEREAS, race track facilities can host local, national, and international racing events that can create jobs, support local businesses, and draw attention and visitors to Hawaii; and

 

        WHEREAS, similar public facilities have long existed for numerous recreational and educational activities including field sports such as football and baseball, indoor sports such as basketball and volleyball, and other sports such as swimming, archery, shooting, and golf; and

 

        WHEREAS, in 2006, the last racing facility on Oahu closed, resulting in many people illegally racing on public streets; and

 

        WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to support the establishment of a new racing facility open to the general public that can serve as an alternative to illegal street racing, provide for driver education and training, enhance public recreation, create jobs, events, and exposure to diversify and boost the local economy; and

 

        WHEREAS, a racing facility should, at a minimum, include a kart track and road course that may be used for driver training by law enforcement, state and county agencies, nonprofit organizations, or the general public; and

 

        WHEREAS, a racing facility should be appropriately located away from residential areas to mitigate traffic, noise, and other issues; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that a public racing facility working group be convened to identify a location and develop a plan for the establishment and operation of a public racing facility on the island of Oahu to improve safety, boost economic activity, and provide for recreation; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be comprised of the following members, or their designees:

 

        (1)   The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Transportation, who should serve as co-chair of the working group;

 

        (2)   The Chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation, who should serve as co-chair of the working group;

 

        (3)   The Director of Transportation;

 

        (4)   The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

 

        (5)   The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

 

        (6)   The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority;

 

        (7)   The Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu;

 

        (8)   A member representing the kart racing community;

 

        (9)   A member representing a sport compact car racing association; and

 

      (10)   Any other members as may be necessary, as invited by the co-chairs; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the public racing facility working group serve without compensation; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public racing facility working group is requested to submit a report of its progress, findings, and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than December 1 of each year through December 1, 2025, or until a final plan and recommendations to establish a public racing facility on the island of Oahu are finalized and adopted; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Transportation; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; President and Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

Racing; Oahu; Public Racing Facility Working Group