HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0047.003 2020-2022 � unci C
ill Z
coM .4
From: jim cain
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 10:14 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 217
Attachments: VID_20180616_140619[1713].mp4
Aloha Chair David and members of the Council,
My name is Jim Cain, my family and I have been blessed to call Waipi'o Valley our adopted home for over 30 years. We are
taro farmers and also run a poi shop providing poi for our Hawai'i Island community. I respectfully urge you to pass Bill 217 as
amended and support the farmers and families of Waipi'o. To be clear,this bill seeks to correct a very dangerous situation on
the county owned access road ("the Hill")that is the result of a very bad mix of traffic on what has always been a very
dangerous road. As we come out of our economic shutdown due to the corona virus, and are already starting to see tourists
returning to our island, it is imperative that we address this incredibly dangerous mix of hikers in survival mode, heavy trucks
laden with taro and people and rental vehicles with untrained drivers that is a recipe for disaster. There is not another road in
the whole state where pedestrians are allowed to meander in front of vehicular traffic and there is no where for pedestrians to
safely get out of the way of vehicular traffic. Bill 217,which is aimed solely at the unchecked torrent of visitor hikers who
present a constant danger to those of us who live and farm in the valley and provide food for our island, is seen as the first step
to finally move forward in our efforts to better manage our precious wahi pana. Waipi'o Valley is being treated like a pubic
park but is not being managed and cared for as a public park and thus is creating a dangerous and unhealthy situation. We
have had 3 decades of discussions, reports and public meetings and it is time to get the ball rolling. This is not an effort to
close the valley to outside access, but is an important step to improve the safety on the county owned road. To be clear, Bill
217 is the necessary first step in putting together a better way to receive people who seek to visit the valley and implement
actions steps in accordance and guidance from the Hamakua CDP,the County of Hawaii Strategic Tourism plan and Aloha
'Rina initiative that will have a positive impact on this precious valley. Please support the farmers of Waipi'o valley as we seek
to continue our important work, and I again urge you folks to do your part and provide for the safety on the Waipi'o Access
road.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Comm. o. l'J
Ref. To: Cl !
1 Ref: Date _