HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.038 2024-2026From: Tia Yagi
Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2025 6:26 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Waikoloa's second road
Aloha Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Hustace, and Members of the Committee,
My name is Tia Yagi, and I'm a resident and parent in Waik6loa Village. I am testifying on the Capital Budget
specifically related to Waikoloa and our urgent need for a second road. Our community is begging for help —we
need $2.5 million in funding for the initial engineering of Waik6loa's second arterial road to be included in the
2025 budget.
I know there are countless worthy needs and projects on Hawaii Island, and budgets are tighter than ever. But
this isn't about convenience or even 'just' property - it's about protecting lives and families. How many more
near -misses or tragedies will it take? New funding is being added to the 2025 CIP budget for street paving
projects, new parks, and other amenities that have not been planned for 17 years and ARE NOT flagged by
the County plan as a "very high priority" project needed to prevent the loss of life.
We're not asking for the entire $25 million new road to be funded overnight. We're asking for one critical step:
the $2.5 million needed in THIS year's budget so construction can be planned in the coming years. If we delay
now, we delay everything —and gamble with lives in the process.
Councilmembers: Please honor the County's own plan! Don't let Waik6loa become another tragic headline.
Mahalo for the opportunity to share my testimony with the committee,