HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.031 2024-2026From: Jerry Simotas
Sent: Monday, April 7, 202S 11:32 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony - Waikoloa Village
Aloha Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Hustace, and Members of the Committee;
My name is Jerry Simotas and I'm a property owner in Waikoloa Village. I am submitting testimony to urge you
to include initial engineering funds for a second arterial road for Waikoloa in the 2025 Capital Budget.
Waikoloa Village is experiencing explosive growth. The Village is one of the fastest -growing communities on
the Big Island. 1200 units of new affordable housing and 2100 units of single-family housing are planned,
which will double the population over the next 20 years. And only one road to serve the community.
Wildfires around our community are becoming more frequent and more intense. During the evacuation ordered
by the Mayor in response to the 2021 fire, residents experienced hour-long delays in traffic seeking to exit the
Village on Waikoloa Road and the Hulu emergency road. Had the fire burned into the Village, people trapped
in traffic could have died in their cars.
The County recognized this danger nearly 20 years ago, ranking a second roadway as a 'very high priority' in
adopted plans. Four mayors later, we're still waiting. Without engineering funds in this year's budget, this long -
delayed project will be delayed... again. Even as Waikoloa Village faces increasingly devastating risks of
wildfires.
This isn't about convenience; it's about survival. Please honor the County's own life-saving priority and fund
this engineering now.