Representative Souza objects to West Oahu access measures, cites Makakilo residents' safety concerns

Representative Souza told the House she remained "in opposition" to a measure on the floor that she said affects West Oahu residents beyond her District 43 and repeated concerns about emergency access for Makakilo.

"For decades, they've been wanting a second point of access so that in the event of an emergency, a wildfire, they don't wanna be the next Lahaina," Representative Souza said on the floor, calling for proactive measures. She told colleagues she had introduced resolutions and bills pertaining to the Makakilo Drive extension that were not heard.

A point of order followed. Representative Keeler raised a point of order under House Rule 28.7, saying on the floor that "members may debate the consequences of a bill, but may not question the intent or motives," and suggested earlier remarks were in violation of that rule. The chair asked for clarification, and the House recessed after the point of order was raised; the clerk later announced that Representative Souza remained in opposition when the House reconvened.

Representative Souza also requested that her comments be inserted into the House journal; the presiding officer ordered the insertion. On the record, Souza emphasized equity for her constituents in District 43 and said prior attempts to get hearings for measures related to the Makakilo Drive extension had not been successful.

Discussion points: Souza framed the matter as a public-safety and equity concern for Makakilo (District 43), noting residents' longstanding requests for an additional access point; Keeler's point of order referenced House Rule 28.7 and sought to limit debate about members' motives. The transcript records a recess called after the exchange and the chair's subsequent direction that Souza's opposition remain on the record.

Ending: The transcript records the point of order, a recess, and the return to the floor with Souza still opposed; the exchange was procedural and did not resolve the underlying project or produce a formal floor vote on Makakilo-specific measures in this segment of the record.