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From: Jessica Lipcsei
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2025 10:01 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Communication 159.41 — Waikoloa Second Access Road
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council, --� -�
My name is Jessica Ward, and I am a resident of Waikoloa Village. Every fire seasorK,�-�-
brings a renewed fear for my family's safety. I am submitting written testimony sting
support of Communication 159.41 to amend Bill No. 32, Draft 2, to fund the initial
engineering for Waik6loa's second arterial road.
Waikoloa Village is a vibrant and growing community, but it remains frighteningly
vulnerable. In 2021, a wildfire the largest in Hawai`i's history —came within 3 miles of
our homes. The community spent hours refreshing emergency alerts, anxiously watching
smoke rise over the ridges, and worrying that we wouldn't be able to get out in time.
With only one primary access road, that fear was very real. During the Mayor's
evacuation order, traffic jams left many residents stuck for over an hour. If the flames had
shifted toward the Village, it could have ended in tragedy.
The thought of being unable to get out in an emergency is unbearable. That's why this
road isn't just a transportation upgrade —it's a lifeline. This project has been deemed a
"very high priority" since 2008 in the County's own plan, and still, no action has been
taken to fund it. We cannot afford more delay..
Even the Attorney General's report on the Lahaina Fire warned that Waikoloa is at
greater risk. Our population has grown from 5,000 to over 7,500, and more housing is on
the way. Meanwhile, climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of
wildfires in our region. This isn't theoretical it's happening now.
Director Ed Sniffen has pledged to help secure federal funds for construction if the
County completes the engineering by 2026. That window is closing fast. We must act
while there's still time to prepare rather than grieve after the fact.
Ref. To:
1 Ref. ocie M i l qO5.
Please vote yes on this amendment. Please fund the engineering for the second access
road. This is a matter of life and death. We are counting on your leadership to make our
community safer.
Mahalo for your time and attention to this urgent issue.
Jessica Ward
Waikoloa Village
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