HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1881
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.D. 1
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LAND USE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"[Underlined: §205- ] [Underlined: Passenger ropeways; mountains; prohibited.] [Underlined: (a) Notwithstanding sections 46-4, 205-2, 205-4.5, 205-5, and 205-6, or any other law to the contrary, the operation of passenger ropeways shall be prohibited in all land use districts; provided that a government entity, official government-recognized corporation, or official government recognized nonprofit organization shall be exempt from this prohibition, subject to approval by the legislature.]
[Underlined: (b) As used in this section:]
[Underlined: "Aerial lift" means a ropeway on which passengers are transported in cabins or on chairs.]
[Underlined: "Aerial tramway" means a ropeway on which passengers are transported in cable-supported carriers that:]
[Underlined: (1)] [Underlined: Are not in contact with the ground or terrain; and]
[Underlined: (2)] [Underlined: Reciprocate between terminals.]
[Underlined: "Commercial funicular" means a ropeway on which carriers are supported and guided by a guideway, are p][Underlined: ropelled by means of a haul rope system, and are operated as a single or double reversible system and used for commercial purposes.]
[Underlined: "Detachable grip lift" means a monocable or bicable ropeway system on which carriers circulate around the system alternately attaching to and detaching from a moving haul rope.]
[Underlined: "Passenger ropeway" means a device or system used to transport passengers along a level, inclined, or declined path by means of a haul rope or other flexible elements that is driven by a power unit that remains essentially at a single location. "Passenger ropeway" includes:]
[Underlined: (1)] [Underlined: Aerial lifts, including detachable grip lifts and chair lifts;]
[Underlined: (2)] [Underlined: Aerial tramways; and]
[Underlined: (3)] [Underlined: Commercial funiculars.]
[Underlined: "Passenger ropeway" does not include elevators or a device or system strictly for private, single-home use and of a length not greater than one hundred feet.]"
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Land Use; Passenger Ropeways; Prohibition; Exemption
Description:
Prohibits passenger ropeways in all land use districts, with an exemption for a government entity or official government government-recognized corporation or nonprofit organization, subject to legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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