HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.074 2024-2026/ 5. C"ci
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From: John Cronin � ,,
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 9:22 PM C
To: Council Testimony -
Subject: Funding for the Engineering for a second Evacuation Road in Waikoloa Vijlage. --�
My name is John Cronin, My wife and I are voting citizens and are home owners, living full time in , aiko7oE!
Village. I am testifying in support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2. 1 fully support thi`sr:
amendment for funding the initial engineering of Waikoloa's second arterial road. cr "µ
Professionally I have been involved in numerous Risk Analyses and I can tell you from experience that the
highest priority given to any particular hazard/corrective action is where "Loss of Life" is possible and
preventable. The second evacuation road is a critical step in preventing the magnitude of tragedy we've all
witnessed in Maui. Many lost their lives when routes of egress were made impassable. The vision of a family
burned to death in their car as they were trying to escape the fast moving fire haunts me every time I think
about that event.
In my opinion the situation here in Waikoloa is actually worse than that in Lahaina. In Waikoloa there is
normally only one way in and one way out of the village (Paniolo Rd). In the event of an evacuation emergency
there is an evacuation road that provides the only one other way out of the village A second evacuation road
will give residents of our community a third route of egress if wildfires threaten our village. Climate change is
real and the cause of an increase in numbers and severity of wildfires throughout the world. Wildfire threats to
Waikoloa Village can only increase over time. Let's take action now to do what we can to prevent Waikoloans
from being trapped due to blocked egress and the expected resulting Loss of Life.
Waikoloa 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 Waikoloa 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.
Mahalo,
John & Barbara Cronin
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