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WILDFIRE SAFETY <br /> 1 ADVOCATES General Plan 2045 Comments <br /> i: WAIKOLOA . 4AWAH Leeward Planning Commission Nov 21,2024 <br /> CONTACT:wildfireWaikO oa@urall,cQttm <br /> GENERAL PLAN 2045 <br /> Talking Points Related to Establishing a Second Access <br /> Road for Waikoloa Village and Public Comment Guidance <br /> General Plan Purpose <br /> A General Plan is the County's policy document for the long-range comprehensive <br /> development and preservation of the Island of Hawaii pursuant to provisions for its <br /> purposes and contents, as set forth in Hawaii Revised Statutes and the County <br /> Charter. It is based on community values, goals, and objectives. <br /> Capital Improvements Programs (CIP) Purpose <br /> This is a six- year program of planned capital improvements adopted by the Hawai'i <br /> County Council that sets forth improvements to be funded, how much each will cost <br /> for each of the next 6 fiscal years, and funding sources. The CIP includes <br /> infrastructure such as roads. <br /> These comments are submitted on behalf of Wildfire Safety Advocates of WaikOloa on <br /> behalf of the organization and its members. <br /> These comments reflect the deep concern by residents of WaikOloa Village that a <br /> second arterial access road into and out of the Village was first recognized as a critical <br /> priority to protect the lives and well-being of residents during fire evacuation <br /> emergencies after the 2005 wildfire event, was highlighted again after the wildfire in <br /> 2018 and urgently demanded after the fire and evacuation order issued by the Mayor in <br /> 2021. Community residents experienced significant delays in exiting the Village during <br /> the 2021 fire as a result of traffic being backed up on Paniolo Drive while seeking <br /> access to WaikOloa Road, and along Walkoloa Road seeking access to Queen <br /> Ka'ahamanu highway. This experience during a wildfire evacuation emergency clearly <br /> demonstrates the need for a second arterial road in and out of the Village. <br /> In addition the Hawai'I County Deputy Fire Chief acknowledged the need for a second <br /> access road to ensure that the crew and equipment based at the Puako Fire Station will <br /> have access to the Village to protect lives and property during wildfire events while <br /> residents are seeking to evacuate the Village. A second access route would become <br /> critically important as the only access route if WaikOloa Road is blocked by fire, or if fire <br /> Rc'd at mtg by KT <br /> lD1st'd—Rd_� <br /> FRB COPY <br /> CoN- �c`2 <br />