RES 732 Draft 01 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, gaining a perpetual right-of-way from the four landowners (Lyman, Chow, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estates, and State of Hawai'i) holding title to these railroad rights-of-way can be achieved.and a portion of this alternative access has already been developed as a gravel roadway for.emergency use only and remains behind a locked gate inaccessible to the public; and WHEREAS, developing these alternative roadways was already under consideration as a part of a road connectivity plan for Lower Puna with an internal working group spearheaded by the Mayor's office to accommodate future growth. The May 3rd volcanic eruption has increased the urgency to develop these alternatives; and WHEREAS, the alternative road access involving the realignment of Government Beach Road and opening of the Railroad right-of-way provide more immediate solutions for accommodating land owners',needs for access in the Kapoho area, but do not resolve all access issues such as large commercial truck traffic along residential roadways and access to the many hundreds of acres of farmland and dozens of homesteads that were not inundated by lava and which were located south of Highway 132; and WHEREAS,.large landowners and commercial operations with;expertise, materials, and heavy equipment are interested in.partnering with the County-to open alternative accesses and rebuild Highway 132; and WHEREAS, rebuilding the sections of Highway 132 that were inundated by lava either along the existing right-of-way or along an alternative path, will resolve access issues for nearly all the Kapoho area communities while private landowners will.need.to take the lead in developing secondary access from a rebuilt Highway 132; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF TME COUNTY OF HAWAII that it urges the County administration to develop these proposed alternative access routes to realign Government Beach Road and open the Railroad right-of-way to Kahala-Street and/or Kehau Boulevard as soon as possible. .. . BE IT,FURTHER RESOLVEI).that rebuilding Highway, 132 and identifying funding sources, obtaining road easements, planning.and engineering road construction should be the highest priority for the County Administration. 3