HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0715.027 2022-2024 P/ Fc
bill !JI
Co41.115
From: kevin kushel
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 10:57 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Testimony for Bill 131-24
Aloha Esteemed Council Members,
I am writing to request the passage of Bill 131-24 without amendments to secure crucial State and County
funding for the Puna Alternate Route Study. This initiative is vital for addressing the rapidly growing population
in Puna and the pressing need for new roadway infrastructure to keep pace with this expansion. With only
Highway 130 serving as the primary access to Puna, the area is experiencing increasing congestion,
particularly during peak hours from 7 am to 10 am and 2 pm to 7 pm. This congestion poses significant
challenges, extending travel times, wasting fuel, impeding emergency vehicle movement, and hindering the
smooth flow of traffic, especially in times of natural emergencies. I was a ten year resident of Kapoho and had
to escape the area the day the lava intrusion was 300 yards from Paypaya Farms Road, to which I had
previously fled two nights before from Vactionland with my elderly mother and three pets. Both of these
escapes were as frightening experiences as I have ever endured. The miles long line of traffic inching along
the Government Beach Road into Hawaiian Beaches/Shores and to Pahoa was especially stressful due to the
lack of other roads out of the emergency area. While many say we can only expect this type of activity being
that we live in a lava zone, the facts are the area continues to increase in residents and traffic. If action, such
as the proposed study, is not taken the future is much less assured for the tax paying population in the Puna
District.
I implore the Hawaii County Council to pass Bill 131-24 without amendments to secure the necessary funding
for the study and infrastructure improvements.
Mahalo for your attention to this matter
Sincerely,
Kevin Kushel ` t
Vice President Mainstreet Pahoa Association t.,, ,
Secretary of the Pahoa High & Intermediate School Community Council
Secretary of the Pahoa Lava Zome Museum —.
Member of five County sponsored Resilience Capacity Areas '
kevinkushelta omail.com
(305)496-8300
Comm. No. I S. 1
Ref. To:
Ref. Date v ' ® 6 2024
1