Administration
HDOT Supports Hawaii Energy Policy Forum’s Mission By: David Rodriguez The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is a member of the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum whose mission is to enable informed decisions to advance Hawai‘i’s clean energy future by convening a collaborative network of stakeholders for fact finding, analysis, information sharing and advocacy.
HDOT was also involved with community COVID-19 testing. Despite these challenges, HDOT remains vigilant to stimulate the economy with capital improvement projects, solicitation of Federal funds along with polices that aim to improve Hawai‘i reliance on food, energy and other imports. First and foremost, is to ensure workers safety. Personal protective equipment, adherence to health and safety guidance and COVID-19 testing are necessary to maintain operations and services to the public.
Forum members at the general meeting wanted to know: What has changed since COVID-19? From the HDOT perspective, the pandemic has exposed the fragility to provide safe and sustainable transportation that preserves economic prosperity of the travel industry, distribution supply chains and public transportation.
HDOT’s application for Federal Transit Authority funds of $16.7M was disbursed for the continuance of public transportation services provided by the Counties including paratransit for those with special needs.
The dynamics of this disease leaves governments defenseless to political pressures that seeks to keep Hawai‘i safe prior to reviving our economy. Over the course of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, HDOT has enabled the State’s lockdown, quarantine program and other policies that restrict the movement of people and goods. In doing so, HDOT has loss millions in revenues that sustains its special funded operations at airports, harbors and highways.
Maintenance, construction and innovative pilot projects like connected traffic control systems are being completed in a safe and expeditious manner with minimal impacts to traffic flow. Demand for oil globally remains very low and there are concerns at Hawai‘i’s refineries. Especially in the local production of jet fuel. ENERGY continued to page 5
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