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lox. <br /> °'• Lee E.Lord <br /> Managing Director <br /> Mitchell D.Roth <br /> Mayor Robert H.Command <br /> �r'T "• '•"�i►�� Deputy Managing Director <br /> Cuunfv of("Inf.t ni'l, <br /> (of fire of f :e Anvor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> SECOND AMENDED TRAFFIC EMERGENCY ZONE DECLARATION AND <br /> SECOND WAIPI`O VALLEY ROAD DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is a four wheel drive County road located on the <br /> northern Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island. The road is narrow and winds down the steep <br /> hillside of the south valley wall. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is the only vehicular ingress and egress for Waipi`o <br /> Valley. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is used by residents of Waipi`o Valley, farmers who <br /> transport agricultural products grown and harvested in Waipi`o Valley, Hawaii County residents, <br /> visitors, and tour operators. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road presents significant safety risks. For example, it lacks <br /> shoulders or adequate troughs to catch falling rocks and debris. The road is slippery, particularly <br /> after heavy rains, and adequate stormwater infrastructure is lacking. Some portions of the road <br /> are unpassable for two vehicles. Limited sight distance along the road hampers driver ability to <br /> safely navigate oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the roadway. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road descends about 800 feet in elevation over <br /> approximately 4100 feet. Rock outcropping and vegetation overhang the road. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road can experience significant amounts of runoff, <br /> particularly after heavy rains. Historically, the County closes the road following periods of <br /> heavy rain and to clear rock, soil and vegetation which has fallen on and across the road. <br /> WHEREAS, a slope failure occurred in March 2019 following heavy rainfall and high <br /> streamflow associated with Hurricane Lane. The primary slide was approximately 500 feet tall <br /> and 70 feet wide. Additional upslope landslide events occurred in April 2018 and February <br /> 2019. <br /> WHEREAS, on or about April 2, 2020, the County hired a consultant, Hart Crowser, to <br /> conduct a Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation. <br /> County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />