HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.135 2024-2026Ga�nci I
OR 159
From: Mike Shattuck/Suzanne West
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 12:00 PM
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill No. 32, Draft 2
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Aloha Chair and members of the Council;
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My name is Suzanne West and I am a resident of Waimea but am concerned about the
WaiRoloa
area. 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 Waikoloa's second arterial road.
You are all aware that the Waikoloa area is one of the most fire prone area on the island. I know there
are many funding needs for the island and know you can't fund as many as you'd like or as much as
you'd like but I feel this second road planning should be among the top projects to fund. It has been
on the agenda of the residents of Waikoloa for many years.
Given the winds and dry conditions in Waikoloa the fire department most likely will not be able to stop
a fire coming into the area.They have been lucky in the past using PTA, and other responding
agencies, even from Oahu. Fire breaks alone will not stop a wind driven fire. 2 sirens are not
adequate to warn people of the danger even if Civil Defense were to sound them in a timely manner.
They can only be heard from a limited distance and that depends on winds. There are not enough
police or fire personnel to go around the neighborhoods to warn people. The current emergency
evacuation road is not adequate. It is in an area that cannot be protected should a fire come from the
north. It is windy and narrow and there are no shoulders for a stalled car. There are few markers that
define the road for night driving. Given the proposed growth of the area that single emergency road is
totally inadequate to be of much value. It is something but not enough More water or more firefighters
or more helicopters are not the solution to getting people out of harms way when Mother Nature is in
charge.
It is not a matter of if a fire will happen again in the area, it is a matter of when. Do you know when
the last fire was in the area you live? How do you know there is fire in YOUR area? Communication is
poor regarding fire events. Evacuation will be done at the last minute. It's human nature. Please help
the people of Waikoloa get out when they are facing a life or death situation.
I am are counting on your leadership to address the community's safety needs. I ask for your'yes'
vote on this amendment.
Mahalo, Suzanne
Comm. No
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Ref. Doue 11 MM�2