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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.065 2024-2026P /5. COUn6l tll,�Ia COW 15q From: Brenda Bryant Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 9:56 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Waikoloa Village second arterial road My name is Brenda Bryant, I'm an 11-year resident in Waik6loa Village. I am testifying in support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2. 1 fully support this amendment for funding the initial engineering of Waik6loa's second arterial road. During my residency, I've witnessed two separate fires located on the Fire Access Road one was just beyond the locked gate between 2017 -2018. The second fire was more recent, it was by the viewing bench (that was destroyed) that a homeless person allegedly set. It's very concerning that two separate fires within the last 10 years have been on our fire escape route, which could easily spread into the village thus eliminating that escape route altogether. It's imperative that we have additional escape routes available. Waik6loa Village is one of the fastest -growing communities on the Big Island, with housing plans set to double the population over the next 20 years. No community should have to rely on a single road in an emergency. Especially not a community as vulnerable to a major wildfire disaster as Waik6loa Village. In 2021, the largest wildfire in the history of the state burned within 3 miles of the Village. This is a very real danger to our community. We know you face tough budget decisions, but this is a rare opportunity to prevent disaster rather than react to it. Your'yes' vote will save lives. We're hopeful that with your leadership, we can finally move forward in securing the second road that our community has needed for years. Thank you for considering this critical amendment. We are counting on your leadership to address our community's safety needs. We humbly ask for your'yes' vote on this amendment. C Brenda Bryant Comm. *ref. To: Ref. Dade 2 cC:? F