HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0047.024 2020-2022 counc,i 1
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From: Elliott Parsons
Seat: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 11:51 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Public testimony for 12/23 Hawaii County Council meeting, Agenda item: Bill 217: Draft 2
I)ear Hawaii County Council,
I would like to provide testimony strongly against Bill 217 which seeks to prohibit pedestrian traffic on a portion of
Waipi'o Valley Road. This Bill would prevent public access to a large recreation area including Na Ala Hele public
trails and ancient trails, campgrounds, and beaches and would affect backpackers, campers, bird watchers, beach
goers, surfers, paddlers, runners (including ultra-ruiners), nature lovers, and many other people who benefit from the
healthful aspects of outdoor experiences. Public access is already fairly limited on Hawai'i Island with few
opportunities for our residents and visitors and those opportunities should be increased, not decreased. This bill also
attempts to solve a problem that hasn't been adequately demonstrated. Where is the impact study showing the issue
and potential multiple resolutions to that issue? Where is the Army Corps of Engineers study on the structural
integrity of the road and whether it is being impacted by pedestrians? The County Council should strive to work
towards the public benefit and this bill does the opposite. Please don't cut off access to Hawaii's residents of an
important public resource, if there are specific problems lets make those problems known and try to address them to
the greatest public benefit possible.
Mahalo,
Elliott
Comm. No. 4 1•�`I
Ref.To: PCOU11M
1 Ref, bate OU 2 3 2020