HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.059 2024-2026pL. Counci
V11 -:159
COMM. [5q
From: Marianne Ben-Jamin
i
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2025 12:08 PM
a.c�
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Please support the amendment to fund the Waikoloa Village 2nd road
<
1-0 a -e
�L
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council,
My name is Marianne Ben-Jamin.
I am a resident of Waikoloa Village and I am testifying in support of the Amendment made by Council -member James
Hustace for the funding for a second arterial road in Waikoloa Village.
We need to get this approved, then Ed Sniffen the Director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, can
help get
Federal Funding to help complete the much needed second road while he is still in office.
The fire in Lahaina and the one here in Waikoloa in 2021 are defiantly a wake up call that should not be ignored! The
madness that took place in the evacuation of Waikoloa Village was insane and needs to be improved upon.
It took hours to evacuate with only one main road and one emergency evacuation road. The panic was unbelievable, it
could have turned into a death trap if the fire made it into the Village.
Right now we have about 7,500 residents living here, and with all the new delvelpments being built the projected growth
is to be over 20 thousand residents. The Village was built in 1971 and the road strucure is not set up for the amount of
people that live here now.
We fear for our lives, all the children at the Elementary School, and the elderly with mobility needs that need assistance
evacuating.
It is hard to believe there has never been an impact study done, with all this new growth happening in the Village. The
Na Hale Makoa project is to have 139 units with 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms. The Nana Kai project is building 78 new homes
now, with a total of 1750 homes when complete. In a 2008 Plan from the County, they called Waikoloa Village "a very
high priority" stating a second road could prove to be what is needed to make a successful evacuation and prevent injury
and even death.
The Long Range Plan (LRP) has not taken into account the projected growth of Waikoloa Village. This is a huge public
safety issue. A new road has been promised for over 20 years. The time is now. We cannot wait any longer.
If a fire does devour Waikoloa Village, the Tax Revenue will be lost for years and years. Building the second arterial road
now would cost about 1 year of the current real estate tax revenue.
In the long run, building the second road is a money saving and life saving endeavour.
I know you have a lot of budget decisions to make, and I hope you will find the need to approve this amendment. We
have been fighting for and needing this road for many years.
Let's be pro -active not re -active with the lives of the residents in Waikoloa Village.
Please vote "yes" on this amendment.
Thank you for your consideration for the amendment,
Marianne Ben-Jamin S - M
Comm. l�
Ref. To:
Ref. DaMY 2 2 2