2024-11-06 Mayor's Waipio Valley Road continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1

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Mayor's Waipio Valley Road Continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 Page 2 of 3 i. Vehicular use is limited to low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles (All wheel drive vehicles are not considered low range, four- wheel drive vehicles); ii. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shall not exceed 10,000 pounds except for utility and emergency vehicles, or existing vehicles used for transit of agricultural products; iii. Vehicles shall be engaged in four-wheel drive mode at all times; iv. Vehicle passengers shall be seated in enclosed compartments of vehicles designed for passenger seating and wearing seatbelts; v. Makai-bound vehicles shall yield to mauka-bound vehicles. b. Licensed/insured tour operators must obtain a permit from the Mayor's office. Please call (808) 961-8211. i. Permits shall be effective for a period of four (4) months from date of issuance. 2. The Mayor may grant individual exemptions to this rule upon request and shall explain the purpose for which Waipi'o Valley Road will be used and upon sufficient showing that safety precautions consistent with these rules are in place. The decision to grant or deny a request is within the sole discretion of the Mayor. Request shall be submitted to the Mayor's Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720. C. Regardless of Limited Access Exceptions Pursuant to Section B, Complete Closure During Significant Weather Events 1. Waipio Valley Road shall be closed for all use, or access further may be limited, during significant weather events as determined by the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency in consultation with the Department of Public Works. 2. This rule is not intended to limit the legal authority of government agencies to close, or limit use, of Waipi'o Valley Road as otherwise provided by law. D. Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction Access to Waipi'o Valley Road may be closed or further restricted during active road repair and/or mitigation activities. The Department of Public Works will hold public meetings as part of its road utilization planning during periods of road construction. Information and updates regarding the Waipi'o Valley Road may be found at Bulletins Hawaii County, HI Public Works. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.