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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.119 2024-2026p /5, Gound I bi H 32 comm. f!5q C-J C From: Dawn Ross �. CD Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 3:30 PM To: Council Testimony`' Subject: Communication 159A1 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2 ?, Aloha! My name is Dawn Ross and I'm a homeowner and resident iin Waikoloa Village. I am writing in support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2.1 fully support this amendment for funding the initial engineering of Waikoloa's second arterial road. My husband, Gary Ross, and I retired here in February 2019. In the ensuing 6 years, we have experienced one fire -related evacuation and one near evacuation. The lands surrounding Waikoloa are more drought stricken than before. It is only a matter of when, not if, a major fire will threaten thousands of families in this area. 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. It would be particularly helpful and practical if the second arterial road connected to Mauna Lani's sole ingress/egress with a traffic light, which would then serve both communities — Waikoloa's fire escape route and Mauna Lani's tsunami/hurricane escape route. 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. Best regards, Dawn Ross Waikoloa Village Sent from my Pad Comm. N5cq%, MA Ref. T®: Ref. Date MAY 2 2 2 25