Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.027 2024-2026C,ONtr-l. t5�1 April4, 2024 Aloha Council Members, My name is Dan Richards Jr., and I am writing as a dedicated member of the Waikoloa community to strongly urge you to allocate $2.5 million in the FY2025 Capital Improvement Budget for the engineering and design of a second access road into Waikoloa Village. I serve this community in many ways —as a Volunteer Firefighter with 9-Bravo, a full-time Realtor, and Secretary of the Waikoloa Village Association Board. Most importantly, I'm a resident who deeply cares about the well-being of my neighbors and my growing family. From every angle —professional, civic, and personal —I can tell you: the need for a second road is not a luxury; it's a life- saving necessity. During the 2021 fire evacuation, our community witnessed just how dangerous it is to rely on a single access point. That vulnerability has only increased as our population continues to grow, with new developments like Na Hale Makoa and Nana Kai underway. Right now, thousands of residents are at risk in the event of wildfire, medical emergencies, or natural disasters. The total estimated cost for the second roadway is $25 million, but the ask today is just $2.5 million to complete the crucial first phase: engineering plans, environmental review, and cultural impact assessments. Without these foundational steps, the project cannot move forward, and construction funding cannot be secured in future budgets. This is not just a traffic issue —it's a matter of public safety. Every year we delay increases the potential for tragedy. To underscore the urgency, I've included photos from the devastating fires in Lahaina and Paradise, California —where residents died in their vehicles, unable to escape due to inadequate road access. These images are painful, but they serve as a stark warning. We cannot allow Waikoloa to suffer the same fate. 1 This administration has emphasized its commitment to reinvesting in the civic needs of West Hawaii. Here is a real and immediate opportunity to honor that promise. Funding this engineering work shows leadership and a proactive stance on protecting lives. Please take this message to heart and act now by including the $2.5 million engineering allocation in the FY2025 budget. Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration of this urgent issue. I look forward to your reply confirming receipt of my testimony and your support in moving this life-saving project forward. Mahalo, Dan Richards Jr. (808) 724-6854 drich808@gmaiL.com 68-1882 E Kaupapa Place Waikoloa, HI 96738 r� �y y5 e R WiIf t , •� ; i'.►� �; �`� 3r,+►, '� iAkf ' ¢ ., , + t i jI�,WN I$, rAIR Al i� N r r . � h �'�C ryy. � , , �. ..