2019-02-19 Letter Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 472, SD1 Relating to Puna

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Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawai i Office of the Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 February 19, 2019 Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Committee on Ways and Means Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair Committee on Ways and Means Dear Chair Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Gilbert S.C. Keith -Agaran and Committee Members: RE: SB 472, SD1, Relating to Puna (Boat Ramp) Thank you for this opportunity to provide supportive comments on SB 472, SD1. This bill would provide funding to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility and cost study as a necessary first step toward the development of a new boat ramp as a replacement for the Pohoiki Boat Ramp in lower Puna. Prior to the extensive sand deposits laid down during the recent Kilauea eruption, the Pohoiki Boat Ramp played a critical public role in affording ocean access for commercial and recreational fishing and sightseeing boats. Today, access is completely blocked and the feasibility of dredging the sand to restore the boat ramp appears to be diminishing, as currents and waves are depositing an additional 10 yards of sand per week with projections that by the end of the year there may be no surf conditions at the site. Commercial fishers are now forced to utilize a boat ramp in Hilo, which is approximately 33 miles, and an hour-long drive, from Pohoiki, thus increasing the time and cost for each trip and adding to the economic losses experienced. These hardworking residents are eager to have the State restore access to waters along the Puna district's prolific and valued fishing grounds. Your support of SB472, SD1, with an early effective date, would be sincerely appreciated. Even better would be funding the study in the Budget. Respec Hy Submitted, 1 Harry Ki MAYOR County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.