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•-•";;;' <br /> JMpp k+4�,, <br /> ; <br /> COUNTY OF HAWAII :`f s'k.'L' /.* • STATE OF HAWAII <br /> • <br /> • <br /> . rq:�r`, <br /> RESOLUTION NO. 485 ±8 <br /> A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS HOUSE <br /> BILL NO. 1767,RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE <br /> VEHICLE USE AND TOUR OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS TO <br /> MAUNA KEA SCIENCE RESERVE AND WAIPI`O VALLEY. <br /> WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1767 (H.B. No. 1767) will prohibit access to Mauna Kea <br /> Science Reserve and Waipi`o valley, except through the use of a low-gear, four-wheel drive <br /> vehicle; and <br /> WHEREAS, the bill will require operators of tours of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve <br /> and Waipi`o valley to obtain a certification for Hawai`i's professional tour guides, as well as <br /> authorize the Counties and the University of Hawai`i to appoint individuals to issue fines and <br /> enforce restrictions; and <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o valley is located in the Hamakua District on the Island of Hawai`i <br /> and is the second most visited site on the island; and <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Road is a short, steep, County road leading down to the Waipi`o <br /> valley floor, and is the steepest road of its length in the United States with 45 degree sections <br /> capable of severely damaging brakes and stalling engines; and <br /> WHEREAS, this dangerous, winding, single lane road is very narrow and offers limited <br /> guardrail protection to the pedestrian traffic sharing the road with vehicles and attempting to <br /> yield to opposing traffic; and <br /> WHEREAS, 2017 statistics, documented by Waipi`o Resource Rangers verify that, at a <br /> minimum, this road is traveled by an average of more than 2,680 pedestrians and 2,290 vehicles <br /> monthly, and 32,115 pedestrians and 27,450 vehicles, annually, as these statistics are only taken <br /> when a resource officer is on duty, therefore, the numbers would be much higher if you were to <br /> include after hours; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Council strongly supports H.B. No. 1767, introduced in <br /> the current session of the Legislature, and supports any legislation that will increase the safety of <br /> visitors and residents of Waipi`o valley; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Council is in support of allowing the people of Hawai`i <br /> County to provide input and be involved in discussions regarding public safety in Waipi`o <br /> valley; now, therefore, <br /> BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the <br /> Hawai`i State Legislature is urged to pass H.B. No. 1767. <br />