HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.112 2024-2026P /5. Council
.ail f 3z
GoMM.1�1
From: Lori Porter
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 1.49 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2
To the Chair and Members of the Council,
My name is Lori Porter and my husband and I are residents/owners in Waikoloa Village. We are testifying in
support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2. We fully support this amendment for funding
the initial engineering of Waikoloa's second arterial road.
My husband and I have lived in Waikoloa Village for 7 years and with every passing year our fears during fire
season have substantially increased. Following the terrible Lahaina fire in 2023, our fears and concerns have
only increased. Seeing the devastation and loss they experienced oh Maui really brought home the realization
of how easily the same thing could happen in Waikoloa village. We are surrounded by dry tinder and the
ferocious winds that we experience on a daily basis in this area, present conditions for a similar disaster to
occur here. We sincerely believe it is not a matter of IF it will happen, but WHEN. We believe this is a rare
opportunity to prevent disaster rather than react to it.
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 and presentndanger 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 duGCD
community's safety needs. We humbly ask for your'yes' vote on this amendment. �' c
<
Sincerely,
1 c
James Kolaites and Lori Porter
3.TS
-
U-
Comm. o. • �. _t
Ref. To•
Ref. Date AY 2 2 20215