2014-25 Mt View Plan Report 4-10-14

Home

Communication No. 2014-25 MOUNTAIN VIEW VILLAGE CENTER PLAN WORKING GROUPS MEETING APRIL 10,2014,6:OOPM,MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL CAFETERIA Mountain View Planners in attendance: Frank Commendador,Patti Pinto, Marcia May,Hannah Hedrick,Heidi Hutchinson,Susan Langer, Sarah Shiraki,Inez Naholowa'a,Moani Naholoua'a,Lorna Higgs,Terry Dann, Sharon Dann,Neena Roumel,Peggy Gentle, Marcia May. 22 Members of our extended community and special guests also attended. • Frank Commendador opened the meeting at 6:10 with an introduction of our special guest Jim Kauahikaua from the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. Jim gave a presentation on the current lava flow from Pu'u O'o which is active in the Natural Reserve area south/west of our upper Puna subdivisions. Jim explained the history of this flow using maps and charts that helped everyone to understand the unpredictability of this flow. He stated that the lava is now flowing slowly and that this particular flow area is not like any other and consequently it is difficult to predict any particular lava behavior. Jim explained that when the lava flow is slow,it cannot form a good tube and the tube collapses. The lava then tends to go around the old collapsed tube,widening the flow. This is the current behavior of the lava. Scientists at the HVO monitor the Pu'u O'o flow constantly using web cams, helicopter flyovers, satellite imaging and on the ground gps monitoring. The flow is moving generally towards Ainaloa subdivision,but its current trend would likely take it further to the south. Darryl Oliveira,Civil Defense Director, spoke at length about the Civil Defense planning and strategies for responding to hazards that could affect our subdivisions. He states that he is in constant contact with HVO and is confident that his team and Hawaii County first responders are prepared to deal with lava approaching settled areas. Civil Defense has considered reopening evacuation routes on Railroad and/or Old Government Beach Road,as well as other points of connectivity. Darryl states that the County will begin making arrangements approximately 6 months before lava is predicted to reach a settled area. Community members asked about the possibility of brush fires reaching the subdivisions should we have a dry summer. Darryl said that Civil Defense and the Fire Department have plans for creating fire breaks in the reserve areas at the bottom of the subdivisions and cautioned us that Community Associations also need to plan.Community Associations should begin the work of contacting lot owners adjacent to the Forest Preserves to see if access through private properties is possible for the Fire Department. It became clear that Communities and families need to begin now to increase their awareness of the hazards facing our area and to make emergency response plans for both families and communities. A report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity,in addition to maps,photos,and Webcam images(available athtlp://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activityjkilaucastatus.php). This data is prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory(HVO). • After a break the group was introduced to Tiffany Edwards Hunt,candidate for County Council District 5. Tiffany spoke briefly about what she would bring to the job of representing us. • We turned to review of the new reduced size"10 Question Survey."Planners suggested several edits and changes and it was decided that we like the survey and Frank and Patti incorporate the edits and"return to"and"return date"information and forward to Representative Onishi for publication. • Frank announced that at our next meeting we will have a member of the Department of Water Supply to inform us on the water resources and needs in our area. • Patti reported on the progress of the County Council Ad Hoc Committee on Connectivity and Emergency access,final vote to form the committee will be on April 15t`. Formation of this ad hoc committee will allow all four County Council Members who represent portions of Puna to collaborate on solutions to our connectivity issues. Our next meeting will be April 10,2014,6:00pm at the Mountain View School Cafeteria