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' Wil Okabe <br /> �!?•` •:q�•, Managing Director <br /> ties <br /> Harry Kim •:4%-..'^\f/''•): <br /> • <br /> Mayor <br /> • ire+ _ Barbara J.Kossow <br /> IVO;•M'+�- Deputy Managing Director <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA. 74-5044 Arm Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)3234444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 1, 2019 <br /> Senator Kaiali'i Kahele, Chair <br /> Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair <br /> COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND <br /> Dear Chair Kahele, Vice-Chair Keith-Agaran and Committee Members: <br /> RE: SB 472, RELATING TO PUNA (Boat ramp) <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to provide supportive comments on SB 472. This bill would <br /> provide funding to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility and cost <br /> study as a necessary first step toward the development of a new boat ramp as a replacement for the <br /> Pohoiki Boat Ramp in lower Puna. <br /> Prior to the extensive sand deposits laid down during the recent Kilauea eruption, the Pohoiki <br /> Boat Ramp played a critical public role in affording ocean access for commercial and recreational <br /> fishing and sightseeing boats. Today, access is completely blocked and the feasibility of dredging the <br /> sand to restore the boat ramp appears to be diminishing, as currents and waves are depositing an <br /> additional 10 yards of sand per week with projections that by the end of the year there may be no surf <br /> conditions at the site. <br /> Commercial fishers are now forced to utilize a boat ramp in Hilo, which is approximately 33 <br /> miles, and an hour-long drive, from Pohoiki, thus, increasing the time and cost for each trip and <br /> adding to the economic losses experienced. These hardworking residents are eager to have the <br /> State restore access to waters along the Puna district's prolific and valued fishing grounds. <br /> The Committee on Water and Land's support of SB472 would be sincerely appreciated. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> HarryKim & <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />