HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1881
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.D. 2
C.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 or cargo ropeways; prohibited.] [Underlined: (a) Notwithstanding sections 46-4, 205-2, 205-4.5, 205-5, and 205-6, or any other law to the contrary, no person shall erect, maintain, or use a passenger or cargo ropeway in any land use district; provided that a government entity 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 or cargo are transported in cabins or on chairs, including detachable grip lifts.]
[Underlined: "Aerial tramway" means a ropeway on which passengers or cargo are transported in cable-supported cabins or on cable-supported chairs that:]
[Underlined: (1)] [Underlined: Are not in contact with the ground or terrain; and]
[Underlined: (2)] [Underlined: Reciprocate between terminals.]
[Underlined: "Detachable grip lift" means a monocable or bicable ropeway system on which cabins or chairs circulate around the system alternately attaching to and detaching from a moving haul rope.]
[Underlined: "Funicular" means a ropeway on which carriers or cargo are supported and guided by a guideway, p][Underlined: ropelled by means of a haul rope system, and operated as a single or double reversible system.]
[Underlined: "Passenger or cargo ropeway" means a device or system used to transport passengers or cargo 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 or cargo ropeway" includes:]
[Underlined: (1)] [Underlined: Aerial lifts;]
[Underlined: (2)] [Underlined: Aerial tramways; and]
[Underlined: (3)] [Underlined: Funiculars.]
[Underlined: "Passenger or cargo ropeway" does not include elevators or a device or system strictly for private, single-home use with a ropeway length no greater than one hundred feet.]"
SECTION 2. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Land Use; Passenger or Cargo Ropeways; Prohibition; Exemption
Description:
Prohibits passenger or cargo ropeways in all land use districts, with an exemption for government entities subject to legislative approval. (CD1)
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