2015-34 PCDP ProgressReport May 2014 to April 2015-prelim DRAFT

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PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTE Current Membership: June Conant — Hawaiian Paradise Park Susan Osborne — Leilani Estates Sharon Dann — Mountain View Patti Pinto, Chair — Fern Acres Farris Etterlee — Puna Beach Palisades Oshi Simsarian — Pahoa Leila Kealoha— `Opihikao/Kaueleau Rene Siracusa —Pahoa Elmer Solis, V -Chair — Hawaiian Paradise Park This reporting period can be defined by two significant events that affected the Puna Community. Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall on August 8, 2014 and caused significant damage to structures and infrastructure in the lower Puna area. Many homes and businesses were without power; up to five weeks for some. Roads were blocked and power lines downed by invasive albesia trees. The Puna Community banded together and assisted each other to clear roads and provide ice and other necessities to those in need. The storm highlighted some genuine community concerns that the PCDP AC have been addressing in their subcommittees. Foremost is the need for emergency connectivity between subdivisions which the Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS) has been working on. Additionally, the CERS held its second annual Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Fair on August 30, 2014 at the Kea`au High School. This community event had approximately 300 volunteers, 72 exhibitors, and approximately 2000 participants. Valuable data was collected from PREP Fair participants including demographics, road connectivity suggestions and comments on existing connectivity points. The June 27b Lava Flow from Kilauea Volcano threatened Pahoa Village and Highway 130. The lava flow was on a direct course to cover Highway 130 and sever thousands of lower Puna residents from basic necessities and services. Several major businesses closed as the threat became imminent. Access to food, medicine and fuel became increasingly difficult for the Pahoa service area residents. In response, the PCDP AC held a special meeting on September 22, 2014 at the Nanawale Community Center. The purpose of the meeting was to provide to the Planning Director comments and recommendations on the relocation of existing businesses with respect to the land use goals, objectives and actions of the PCDP. Subsequently, the Town Meeting Subcommittee proceeded to survey the various Puna subdivisions /communities as to their willingness, types of infrastructure, and availability of land to host commercial activities and services if/when the lava flow inundated Pahoa Village. A report summarizing that survey was submitted to the Planning Department in November 2014. Fortunately, the lava threat has subsided and businesses have returned to Pahoa. Other topics of discussion for this reporting period are as follows. The Planning Department budget included funds making it possible to again hire a Community Planning Assistant to help with the administration of AC meetings, web site updating, AC tool development and the preparation of this annual report. Community -based development of village center plans, roadway connectivity recommendations and emergency preparedness awareness, implementation of mass transit issues, new park development and the enhancement of existing parks, collaborative planning to broaden local access to medical services, and open space preservation remain notable among the activities and efforts of AC members and other community volunteers during this reporting period.