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From: toni withington
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2020 9:44 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 217 Waipio Valley Road
Waipio Valley Bill 217 - Hawaii County Council
Testimony of Toni Withington 12-23-2020
Aloha Council members,
My name is Toni Withington, and I have lived in Kohala for fifty years.
I ask you to delay consideration of Bill 217. The full ramifications of closing pedestrj n traffic
on Waipio Valley Road have not been adequately identified.
While I feel for the people who have struggled with this dangerous situation on the road, the
effects of closing hikers from Waipio will only put increased hiking pressure on the already
dangerous conditions at the Pololu Valley Trail in forth Kohala.
I have been involved since 2011 with community efforts along with the Na Ala Hele
Trail System to address the horrible congestion, health and safety issues at the Pololu
lookout and trail. A possible parking lot, beyond the space for only seven vehicles, is in the
planning mill, but still many years from happening.
Waipio Valley lookout has a large parking lot, a park pavilion with restrooms,
interpretive signs, picnic areas, water, electricity and cell phone reception.
Pololu Valley lookout has none of those.
Increased traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular would further strain the unhealthy and
unsafe conditions at Pololu Valley. This impact must be taken into consideration before
entertaining Bill 217.
Building a hiking trail separate from the Waipio roadway seems the obvious solution.
Why aren't we looking at that alternative?
Mahalo for your consideration.
Comm. No. t
Ref. To: C AA:Ilc
1 Ref. Date