Communication Number 2019-14 Waikoloa 2nd Access Rd Report

Home

Waikoloa Subcommittee's Second Access Road Report SKCDP-AC Waikoloa Subcommittee Report: Waikoloa's Second Access Road 1. Executive Summary Waikoloa Village is a rapidly growing community. The population increases, numerous housing developments (current and potential), substantial commercial developments, and construction of two State buildings in the Village are well-documented in this report. This growth cycle has and will continue to strain the current infrastructure limitations into and out of Waikoloa Village. Waikoloa Village is connected to the rest of Hawaii island by a single east -west road from the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway to the Mamalahoa Highway known as Waikoloa Road. Most of the Village is further only accessible via Paniolo Avenue, through the Waikoloa Road - Paniolo Avenuenue - Pua Melia Road intersection, the subject of the Subcommittee's other report. A Second Access Road for Waikoloa Village has been clearly identified as the top priority for the community since information was first gathered, compiled, and included in the final SKCDP document submitted. The current problems at the Waikoloa Intersection in part stem from inaction on a Second Access Road. Reasons for inaction on a Second Access Road base primarily in the County's reliance on a developer taking the lead on construction, with the County's support, specifically with Aina Lea or Puako 1010. Aina Lea has not moved forward substantially in any area of development for a variety of reasons. And Puako 1010 was sold to another developer, with no action either. This single -road access becomes a serious safety concern when considering emergencies, such as wildfires or tsunamis, that would require evacuation from Waikoloa Village, or to Waikoloa Village from the nearby coast. Special planning to evacuate our children from Waikoloa School needs to be addressed: Logistically, how would we safely evacuate Waikoloa School's 825 students (Pre -School — 81h grade) and 130 staff members in an emergency? Vehicles to transport and personnel to supervised the student population out of the Village are the major issues. There been multiple instances of evacuations from Waikoloa Village due to wildfires, which resulted in the creation of an emergency evacuation road. This road appears to be adequate for a partial evacuation, but does not appear to have the capacity for a large-scale evacuation in a short time such as could be required for a wildfire in strong winds. There have also been evacuations from coastal resorts to shelters in Waikoloa Village due to tsunamis. The emergency evacuation road is currently designed only for a makai evacuation of personal vehicles out of Waikoloa Village and appears that it would not be suited for a mauka evacuation from the coast, especially if the hotels used buses to transport visitors. In the Subcommittee's view, there is clearly a need for additional road access into and out of Waikoloa Village, with emergency evacuations being just one of many factors. As Waikoloa Village grows in population, including affordable housing, traffic will increase and quality of life will be impacted. Planning for Waikoloa Village's future should therefore include concrete plans for a second access road in the next 10 years. June 18, 2019 Page I o17