HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0047.005 2020-2022 bill 217
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From: Vikki Catellacci t ' e "``I
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2020 5:36 AM y
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To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Bill 217
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Dear Hawaii County Council,
I am writing regarding Bill 217, pertaining to Pedestrian Access into Waipi'o Valley. I have been a resident of
Paauilo, on the Hamakua coast, for the past 40 years, and have spent a lot of time in Waipi'o valley, as it is the
closest beach to where I live. While I am not a native to these islands, having lived here for the past 40 years, I have
grown to deeply respect and cherish the way of life I have been privileged to witness and be a part of through my
association with various Hawaiian cultural practitioners. I have participated in culturally based summer camps, as
well as numerous other culturally based ceremonies and agricultural activities in the valley. I have observed the
tremendous respect and devotion our Hawaiian cultural practitioners and residents have for Waipi'o valley, and
their focus on preserving the pristine environment and integrity of this special place. I have listened to many
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Waipi'o residents as they describe the disrespect that tourists have shown by crossing private land, going beyond
the county road, leaving trash and using various spots as a bathroom. It is primarily the tourist foot traffic that bring
these problems. They meander through the valley with total disregard for the residents and the way of life many
are trying to maintain and preserve down there.
Over the past number of years, I have observed with dismay the huge increase in pedestrian traffic into the valley. It
is often very dangerous when one is driving down that narrow road, to come across tourists walking. I have
witnessed and been involved in dangerous stops to vehicle traffic as tourists don't get out of the way quickly
enough, stand on the wrong side of the road preventing cars from passing safely, as well as seeing some tourists
having difficulty with the walk and trying to stop cars to get a ride up the hill. It has also been very discouraging and
disturbing to witness the disregard many tourists have for the local residents driving either down, or coming up out
of the valley. There are a few very narrow places on the road that are quite dangerous if people are walking in those
areas and traffic is coming. Local residents, who walk up and down the road, know the road well, and in my
experience, have never presented a problem. The problem is with tourists, who do not know this road, and do not
understand how to proceed in a safe, respectful manner as they walk up or down. I would like to see this tourist
traffic stop completely, as they present a danger to everyone's safety, as well as their own, in traversing the Waipi'o
road.
Thank you for your time and consideration on these important matters. Please help us preserve and protect Waipi'o
valley by supporting a stop to tourist pedestrian traffic on the Waipi'o road.
Mahalo,
Vikki Catellacci
Comm. No. 41.0 ---_
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i Ref. tete DEC 2 3 2-020