HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0362.017 2022-2024 ill �
e
From: dj.smith
Sent: Monday,July 24, 2023 3:34 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Bill 56
Aloha Council members, my name is Deb Smith, I am the President of Vacationland Hawaii
Community Association. My husband and I lost our home in the 2018 Kilauea lava eruption. We
were told by the previous administration in 2019 that roads to our neighborhood would be
restored shortly after highway 132 was completed.With that information, we purchased our
neighbors property that had a remaining house and some infrastructure. We are still waiting for
roads 4 years later. We are living on the property hauling all of our supplies via foot and bike.
We have to park our truck 2 miles away. We have many repairs that need to be made as well as
restoring running water to our house. We are still not yet in recovery mode. 2
The Kilauea Grant program hopefully can be used to help us gain access to our home, as well as a
help with the infrastructure that needs to be rebuilt. I hope that you realize that there are
many of us who still need recovery help and that the priority will be placed there.Adding
resiliency to the grant language is all fine and good but those still in recovery mode need help
first.After 5 years, most people who do not live in Lower Puna don't realize the level of impact
this continues to make on our daily lives.
Mahalo,
Debra Smith
President,Vacationland Hawaii Community Association
Pahoa, HI
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Comm. No. l �
Ref.To: V I LID
s
Ref. Dee UL 2 5 2023