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Mitchell D. Roth <br />Y'V/61'yor <br />Lee E. Lord <br />.VICologmg Direclor <br />Robert It. Command <br />DeEnrry,Vlanagmg Director <br />tiT <br />V-47ult of 'Pabial"i <br />(offirr fif f4v�ai'jar <br />25 AUpuni Street, Suite 2603 - Hilo, Hawaii 96720 - (808) 961-821 1 - 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 />Eighth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration And <br />Eighth 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 Hdmakua 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, Walpi'o Valle), Road is used by residents of Waipi'o Valley, farmers who <br />transport agricultural products grown and harvested in Waipi'o Valley, Hawaii. County <br />residents, visitors, and authorized t0Ur 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 />strearnflow associated with Hurricane Lane. The primary slide was approximately 500 feet tall <br />and 70 feet wide. Additional upslope landslide events Occurred in April 20 18 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 Hawaii is an Equal opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />