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PWMTC-29 Page 2 November 17,2020 <br /> When Your Committee next met on November 17, 2020, Ms. Poindexter provided an update of ongoing <br /> discussions with community members and in particular discussions with cultural practitioners for <br /> potential amendments to Bill No. 217. She then moved to amend the bill with the contents of <br /> Communication No. 1130.34, which further exempts from the pedestrian prohibition"owners, lessees, <br /> and residents of Waipi`o Valley," and "Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners in exercise of their <br /> traditional and customary rights." <br /> Committee Members Karen Eoff, Maile David, and Aaron Chung spoke in support of the amendment. <br /> Mr. Chung broadened the discussion by asking if it would be better to dispose of the road parcel to one <br /> of the large private landowners in the valley. <br /> Ms. Poindexter said road liability is a sticking point; however, discussions are ongoing. Jim Cain, a taro <br /> farmer who earlier provided public testimony in support of the bill, was asked to weigh in. Mr. Cain <br /> called the road a"hot potato" and added it is a big job to maintain the road. The liability is tremendous <br /> and he does not anticipate anyone stepping up and agreeing to take it on, he said. However, Bill No. 217 <br /> addresses something that can be addressed right now. <br /> Mr. Chung asked Ms. Poindexter about doing restricted road access, maybe by permit. <br /> Ms. Poindexter said permitting for vehicular access is in the works, but it is complicated, and in the <br /> works with the Office of the Corporation Counsel for three or four years. Therefore, the decision was <br /> made to split up the pedestrian and vehicular access issues. <br /> Asked by Mr. Chung to give his thoughts on restricting access, Mr. Kamelamela said the reason it is <br /> taking so long is the need to get input from various stakeholders and different departments, and getting <br /> consensus does take time. <br /> Mr. Chung reiterated that Bill No. 217 is well-intentioned, and he supports Ms. Poindexter, but the <br /> practical effect of banning pedestrians is going to result in more vehicles. He asked for more discussion <br /> on the issue. <br /> Mr. Kamelamela agreed, and referenced the Legislature's approval of Act 204, Session Laws of Hawaii <br /> 2019, codified as Hawai`i Revised Statutes §291C-138, which prohibits any vehicle, except a low-range <br /> four-wheel drive vehicle, from being driven through or in Waipi`o Valley, except for certain <br /> circumstances, as an example of the ongoing discussions to provide for safety for users of the road. <br /> Mr. Kamelamela said enforcement of the statute remains a challenge because some people don't pay <br /> attention, and it would be good to have some people at the top of the road educate others about the need <br /> to use four-wheel drive. <br /> Mr. Chung again said a broader discussion is needed. <br /> Mr. Richards also spoke in support of the amendment, and of the master plan for Waipi`o Valley. He <br /> called the bill a good first step, but"not the end all." The bill hits the pause button, he said, to get control <br /> of safety issues going forward. <br /> PWMTC Report No.: 29 <br />