HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 416 Draft 01 2022-2024A RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REMOVE PARCELS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS FROM CONSIDERATION WHEN STUDYING THE
FEASIBILITY OF A PUNA MAKAI ALTERNATE ROUTE.
WHEREAS, in 2022, the Hawai‘i State Legislature allocated $1,000,000 for the purpose of plans and designs to conduct site surveys on the Island of Hawai‘i to identify the most suitable
location for an alternate route in Puna below Highway 130, contingent upon the County of Hawai‘i providing $500,000 in matching funds; and
WHEREAS, in January 2024, the County Council considered Bill No. 107, which would release the matching funds for a total of $1,500,000 to be used for this study; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Puna Makai alternate route (“PMAR”) would address the traffic concerns related to the growing population and emergency response needs of the Puna region, which
has experienced numerous natural disasters over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, the Puna Community Development Plan highlights the need for an alternate route in Puna, which is critical to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance overall community safety;
and
WHEREAS, during its discussion of Bill No. 107, the Council emphasized transparency in the implementation of this project utilizing available public funds; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is well-equipped and qualified to undertake this project, which would investigate the various engineering challenges and potential environmental
impacts posed by identified alternate routes; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands issued public testimony on Bill 107 declaring that none of the lands under its jurisdiction in Panaʻewa and Keaukaha should be considered
for the PMAR; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that parcels under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should not be considered for the PMAR and the route
should not connect to the homestead communities of Panaʻewa and Keaukaha.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Mayor and the Director of Public Works to fulfill the scope of work outlined by the State Legislature and allocate supplemental funds
to broaden the scope to encompass the examination of potential alternate routes in communities directly mauka of Highway 130, such as ʻĀinaloa and Orchidland.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Mayor and the Director of Public Works to consistently engage the communities affected throughout the study process including design,
implementation, and evaluation.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; Diane Nakagawa, Director of Finance;
Zendo Kern, Planning Director; Stephen Pause, the Director of Public Works; Victor Kandle, Mass Transit Administrator; Talmadge Magno, Civil Defense Administrator; the Honorable Members
of the Hawaiʻi Island delegation to the Hawai‘i State Legislature; Edwin H. Sniffen, Director of the Department of Transportation; Kali Watson, Director of the Department of Hawaiian
Home Lands; Douglas Le, Disaster Recovery Officer, Planning Department; and the Members of the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20 .
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
GALIMBA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
LEE LOY
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.