Mayor Caldwell Signs Hawaii Bus Bills into Law

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell took action on a pair of bills today by signing Bill 56 (2019), CD1, FD1 into law and vetoing Bill 3 (2020), CD1, FD1. These Hawaii bus bills were passed by the City Council on July 9.

Bill 56 (2019), CD1, FD1     –      Relating to bus passes.

“I want to thank Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor for introducing this bill,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Taking care of our high school students and providing them with reliable transportation for off-campus activities or after-school internships is key to expanding career opportunities and supplemental educational programs, especially during a time where distance learning and remote opportunities are becoming more essential.”

“As the introducer of this measure, I am gratified that the City will be moving forward with a pilot program to provide bus passes at no cost to high school students because it will enhance the quality of their educational experiences by enabling them to attend off-campus or after-school programs,” said Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor. “These opportunities will be especially important for students in my district who attend James Campbell High School and Kapolei High School, where the pilot program will be initiated, who have limited transportation options. Mahalo to Mayor Caldwell and his administration for this important educational initiative.”

Bill 3 (2020), CD1, FD1    –  Relating to establishment of a Keep Hawai‘i Hawai‘i Pass Program.

“While maintaining some of O‘ahu’s most popular attractions and supplementing the operating budgets for our first responders remains a priority, it cannot come at the expense of significant City attractions like the Honolulu Zoo, our municipal golf courses, Hanauma Bay, and TheBus,” said Mayor Caldwell. “While I support the exploration of new ways to further maintain our parks and beaches, siphoning money away from special funds that support important city assets will increase the subsidies needed from the General Fund.”