HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 593 Draft 01 2020-2022 COUNTY OF HAWAIG +: :+ STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 593 _
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A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE,
STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS TO PRIORITIZE,FUND,AND COMPLETE CRITICAL ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS IN PUNA.
WHEREAS, Puna's transportation infrastructure has been tremendously underfunded for
decades; and
WHEREAS, Puna is the fastest growing region in the State and home to more than
50,000 residents who deserve a safe and reliable local transportation system to access essential
services such as school, work, healthcare, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS,the Regional Federal Aid Highways 2035 Transportation Plan for the
District of Hawaii highlights that approximately 40,400 vehicles travel on Highway 130 from
Puna to Hilo every day for work, school, or commercial services; and
WHEREAS, State Highway 11 and State Highway 130 are largely restricted to two lanes
of traffic and are the only highways for residents to travel in and out of Puna; and
WHEREAS,these State highways traverse through dense residential areas where some
residents are forced to exit their private driveways onto a roadway with vehicles exceeding the
posted speed limit of 45-miles-per hour; and
WHEREAS,the Hawaii Department of Transportation reported 16 fatalities on State
Highway 130 since 2010, which, in addition to the needless and tragic loss of life, has led to
multi-hour traffic delays causing economic disruptions and widespread community
dissatisfaction; and
WHEREAS, traffic congestion and the limited road system in Puna severely impacts
police, fire, and emergency medical services response time to emergency calls as well as the
community's ability to evacuate the area during times of natural disaster; and
WHEREAS, numerous County Resolutions (see Exhibit A), State plans, and reports
have called for the improvement of traffic circulation throughout Puna by widening Highway
130, extending Railroad Avenue or Government Beach Road to Hilo, or providing another Puna
alternative route; and
WHEREAS, a balanced, equitable, well-connected, safe transportation system for Puna
is critical to supporting agriculture, interconnectivity, multi-modal needs, healthcare, economy,
and improving quality of life; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
Hawai`i State Legislature and the Hawai`i Department of Transportation are strongly urged to
prioritize, significantly invest in, and develop necessary road improvements and roadway
infrastructure in Puna to meet the growing needs of the region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Work leverage funding
provided by the issuance of general obligation bonds authorized via Ordinance No. 20-27 and
prioritize planning, design, and development of Puna Connectivity and Emergency Access
Routes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i Department of Transportation and all
applicable County Departments collaborate on transportation project planning and development
of a coordinated road system throughout Puna that fosters safe and efficient mobility of
commuters and the economic vitality of Puna.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor; Director of Hawai`i Department of
Transportation, Jade Butay; Deputy Director of Highways Division, Ed Sniffen; Hawai`i Island
District Engineer for Highways, Harry Takiue; the Honorable Senate President, Ronald D.
Kouchi; the Honorable Speaker of the House, Scott Saiki; the Honorable Representative Joy San
Buenaventura,the Honorable Representative Gregor Ilagan; the Honorable Representative Chris
Todd; the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor; Director of Finance, Deanna Sako; and Director
of Public Works, Steven Pause.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 16th day of November , 20 22 .
INTROD CED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG X
DAVID X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
County of Hawai`i on November 16, 2022
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
ATTEST: LEE LOY X
RICHARDS
VILLEGAS X
6 0 2 0
11111111114116.--- ` Reference: C-1065/GOREDC-29
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COUNT CLER -.• '.'_ SAN&P'- ` i.F CER RESOLUTION NO. 593 22
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EXHIBIT A
• Hawai`i County Council adopted Resolution No. 149-05 on September 21,2005,
which requested the State Department Transportation to expedite a study to determine
needed safety improvements to State Highway 130 between Kea`au and Pdhoa
• Hawai`i County Council adopted Resolution No. 386-07 on December 5,2007, which
urged the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and property owners not to negotiate
commercial development along Highway 11 in South Hilo to prevent more commuters
from driving to Hilo
• Hawai`i County Council adopted Resolution No. 768-08 on February 19,2009,to
urge the Department of Transportation to enact contraflow measures during peak traffic
hours along Highway 130
• Hawai`i County Council adopted Resolution No. 206-09 on November 4, 2009, which
listed a Puna Makai alternative route as the number one priority on the County's capital
improvement project list
• Hawai`i County Council adopted Resolution No. 56-13 on February 20, 2013, to urge
the County to support Senate Bill No. 377 of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature, 2013,
which allocated $25 million to conduct a study for a PMAR