2025-10-31 Waipi'o Valley Road Continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 Twentieth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Twentieth Waipi'o Valley Road Declaration of Emergency

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C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor William V. Brilhante, Jr. Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai `i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Are Keohokalolo Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 Twentieth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration And Twentieth Waipi`o Valley Road Declaration Of Emergency WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is a four-wheel drive County road located on the northern Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island. The road is narrow and winds down the steep hillside of the south valley wall. WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is the only vehicular ingress and egress for Waipi`o Valley. WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road is used by residents of Waipi`o Valley, farmers who transport agricultural products grown and harvested in Waipi`o Valley, Hawaii County residents, -visitors, and authorized tour operators. WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road presents significant safety risks. For example, it lacks shoulders or adequate troughs to catch falling rocks and debris. The road is slippery, particularly after heavy rains, and adequate stormwater infrastructure is lacking. Some portions of the road are impassable for two vehicles. Limited sight distance along the road hampers driver ability to safely navigate oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the roadway. WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road descends about 800 feet in elevation over approximately 4100 feet. Rock. outcropping and vegetation overhang the road. WHEREAS, Waipi`o Valley Road can experience significant amounts of runoff, particularly after heavy rains. Historically, the County closes the road following periods of heavy rain and to clear rock, soil and vegetation which has fallen on and across the road. WHEREAS; a slope failure occurred in March 2019 following heavy rainfall and high streamflow associated with Hurricane Lane. The primary slide was approximately 500 feet tall and 70 feet wide. Additional upslope landslide events occurred in April 2018 and February 2019. WHEREAS, on or about April 2, 2020, the County hired a consultant, Hart Crowser, to conduct a Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation. WHEREAS, the County's receipt of the completed Hart Crowser's Preliminary Geotechnical Report dated January 2022 ("Report") occurred in January 2022. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.