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WILDFIRE SAFETY WSAW Comments-General Plan 2045 <br /> 4q, ADVOCATES Sep 26,2024 <br /> WAIKOLOA - HAWAII <br /> CONTACT: <br /> GENERAL PLAN 2045 <br /> Comments Related to Establishing a Second Access Road <br /> for Waikoloa Village <br /> General Plan Purpose <br /> The General Plan is required to be prepared by the County Charter to serve as the County's policy <br /> document for the long-range comprehensive development and preservation of the Island of Hawaii <br /> pursuant to provisions for its purposes and contents. It is based on community values, goals, and <br /> objectives. <br /> Capital Improvements Programs (CIP) Purpose <br /> This is a six-year program of planned capital improvements adopted by the Hawai'i County Council that <br /> sets forth improvements to be funded, how much each will cost for each of the next 6 fiscal years, and <br /> funding sources. The CIP includes infrastructure such as roads.The County charter states that "Capital <br /> improvements shall be prioritized based on criteria aligned with the general plan, community <br /> development plans, emergency expenditures and other pertinent functional plans." Section 10-6(a)(2). <br /> These comments are submitted on behalf of Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikoloa on behalf of <br /> the organization and its members. <br /> These comments reflect the deep concern by residents of Waikoloa Village that a second <br /> arterial access road into and out of the Village was first recognized as a critical priority to <br /> protect the lives and well-being of residents during fire evacuation emergencies after the 2005 <br /> wildfire event, was highlighted again after the wildfire in 2018 and urgently demanded after the <br /> fire and evacuation order issued by the Mayor in 2021. Community residents experienced <br /> significant delays in exiting the Village during the 2021 fire as a result of traffic being backed up <br /> on Paniolo Drive while seeking access to Waikoloa Road, and along Waikoloa Road seeking <br /> access to Queen Ka'ahamanu highway. This experience during a wildfire evacuation emergency <br /> clearly demonstrates the need for a second arterial road in and out of the Village. <br /> 1 <br />