HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0609.043 2022-2024 P / Council
50 107
COMM.6OR
From: Aaron Stene
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 7:45 PM
To: Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada,Jennifer; Lee Loy, Sue; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kanealii-
Kleinfelder, Matt; Galimba, Michelle M.;Villegas, Rebecca; Inaba, Holeka; Evans,
Cynthia F.W.; Baez, Wendy; Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 107 - Puna Makai Alterative Route Study
Aloha, o
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I strongly urge the Hawaii CountyCouncil topass Bill 107 on second reading.
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Puna makai is in need of an alternative access route.There has been recent natural I —'
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disasters in this area that've made this painfully obvious.Then you add in the immense population
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increases in this area.The confluence of these issues is coming to a head. ;'-;�~
The events in West Maui show there is a real need for safe,alternate,routes statewide.
The population of the Puna district isn't going to slow down either.The proposed widening
of Highway 130 won't fully address this either.There needs to be safe alternative routes for
both Puna makai and mauka areas.
These needed roads won't magically appear unless the planning and permitting process
is completed.Yes, Hawaii DOT Highways has a policy of focusing on system preservation and safety
improvements,but rejecting this funding as a protest over this policy isn't going to change anything.
It will result in the current status of spinning our wheels to continue for all traffic congestion issues island wide.
As far as the Department of Hawaiian Homelands issue, I urge you to implement the
suggestions broached in Kupuna Moopuna's testimony dated December 19th,2023.The
Keaukaha and Panaewa areas have had to suffer with the placement of industrial
facilities in their communities. If the PMAR alignment is placed on Railroad,it would continue
that abusive history.
Comm. No. 1, 91 •
I strongly believe the time is right to start the process of eventually constructing this roadway.W. H Ref. To: ][(111.11I11
1 Ref. Date. .=.,; I 2024
Shipman Ltd even seems amenable to providing the right of way for this roadway after years of
obstruction. In short,the policy frustrations and obstacles I alluded above are no reason to not to accept this grant.
Sincerely,
Aaron Stene
Aaron Stene
aaron.m.stene@gmail.com •
808-333-0996
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