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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0846.004 1998-2000 iD Al Smith Phone: (808)961-8267 vice-Chair:- Fax: (808)961-8912 COUNTY COUNCIL County ofHawai'i Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street QEC~vt~ -IV Hilo, Hawaii 96720 nom..-- July 10, 2000 County Council MEMO TO: Norman Olesen, Executive Assistant Office of the Mayor County of Hawaii FROM: Al Smith, Vice-Chair Hawaii County Council RE: Pakaka Road/Wa'a Wa'a Government Beach Road Improvement Project Attached for your review and comment, please find communications from Puna residents regarding pending improvements to the Wa'a Wa'a Government Beach Road. They have requested information regarding the Kahuwai Papaya Project and that a public meeting be held. Clarification as to funding sources have also surfaced. As discussed, the following is my understanding of the project: 1. Partial funding is secured from the fund balance of the Puna Highway/Roads Account; 2. Federal (HUD) approval will be secured before funds are expended; 3. The county will apply for a Community Development Block Grant for additional improvement monies; 4. Public input will be sought about road improvements during a required Environment Assessment phase. If a public informational meeting is held before the E.A. phase, please be aware that I will be out of state until July 28, 2000. I certainly would like to be apart of any discussion in regards to Wa'a Wa'a. In addition, any further information as well as a timeline for this project is requested. I sincerely thank you for your help in securing these much needed monies. I am confident that once things get rolling, a meeting of the minds will ensure that a consensus is reached and that this project will be met with enthusiasm and support by Puna residents. Cc: Mayor Stephen Yamashiro Margarita Hopkins, Director, R&D Pakaka Road Association (',omr `NO' The Kubica Family File ~C AS/ctd Ref. To: Ref. Date Attachments T `oJN`Y'Cr N7w~G William G. Davis Stephen K. Yamashiro - Managing Director Mayor Henry Cho f~• '•N~~ Deputy Managing Director O!•Nr 11Y11Ilff"~ of'tttunii 25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) %1-8211 Fax (808) 961.6553 KONA: 75.5706 Ku.kini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663 MEMORANDUM June 21, 2000 TO: Ed n S. Taira, Assistant Housing Administrator FROM: Norman Olesen, Executive Assistant SUBJECT: IMPROVEMENTS TO 2.0 MILES OF ROADS IN LOWER PUNA It is herewith requested that the residual funds of $80,000, from the Puna Emergency Bypass Road, Account # 110-399-5390.10-115, be directed toward the lower Puna emergency access road from the Wa'a wa'a subdivision along the Beach Road. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $380,000. This initial funding will provide the resources to conduct an Environmental Assessment and subsequent Engineering for the proposed project. The justification for this project from the Research and Development and Fire Departments is attached. Should you have any questions regarding this project or need additional information please contact me at 961-8565. Attachments cc: Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro Fire Chief Edward Bumatay Margarita Hopkins, Director, R&D Councilman Al Smith JUSTIFICATION TO THE PROPOSED PAVING OF THE PORTION OF THE GOVERNMENT BEACH ROAD IN THE LOWER PUNA AREA In a meeting with the Kahuwai papaya farmers held on May 3, 2000, all farmers present expressed a strong desire for the county to pave at least section of the Beach Road from the current end of the pavement of Koae for a distance of approximately 2 miles ending at the boundary of the Wa'a wa'a subdivision. This road is used by both local residents and farmers cultivating papaya in Kahuwai. During rainy days, the cinder used to cover the holes on the road is constantly washed out and the road becomes almost impassable at those times. When the road is in this condition, few of the papaya farmers currently farming in Kahuwai had to spend 15 minutes and sometimes longer to travel 1 mile of this road. These farmers suffer extreme hardships due to high papaya spoilage coupled with the break down of their vehicle. Paving this road will increase the farming activities in the area. Kahuwai is identified as the best growing area for papaya in the Puna district and provides over 1,000 acres of farmable lands. Such acreage could at least accommodate 100 farmers thus providing employment opportunities to an area where unemployment is high. Moreover with paved road, bruising and spoilage of papaya in transit will be greatly minimized. Bruising and spoilage accounts for 20% loss in papaya production. Reducing this percentage loss would result in additional economic reward to the farmers and their families. Further, an improved roadway will serve as an efficient means of delivering emergency services to our island residents who live and recreate in the area. The current road needs to be brought up to acceptable County road standards. This would facilitate rapid response of our larger pieces of fire apparatus as well as minimize damage to our equipment. Presently, the community's volunteer fire company serves as the first line of response until a fire company arrives from Pahoa. Then it becomes quite difficult to negotiate their way into the area because of poor road conditions, thus prolonging the response time of our units to get to the scene of an emergency. This improved section of road may also serve an escape route out of the Hawaiian Beaches area during large brush fires. It will ease the traffic burden on Hale Kahakai Boulevard if an evacuation is ordered during an emergency and not cause any undue delay of responding fire units. Lastly, the increase in farming activities in the area will also deter growing of illegal crops thus reducing the illegal activities in the area. M ~y Edward Bumatay Stephen K. Yamashiro V Fu.ahW Mayor Russel M. Eliyao oi'i~.....e Deputy Foe Ch&f Cluitntg of paivinii FIRE DEPARTMENT 777 Kilauea Avenue a Mail Lane, Room 6 e Hilo, HawaH 96720-4239 (808) 961-8297 • Fax(808) 961-8296 May 9, 2000 To: Margarita Hopkins, Director of Research & Development From: Edward Bumatay, Fire Chief SUBJECT: IMPROVEMENT TO ROADWAY TO WA'A WA'A Your plans to improve the northern portion of Route 137 that serves as the only access into the Wa'a Wa'a area is of extreme interest to our Department. Obviously, an improved roadway will serve as an efficient means of delivering emergency services to our Island residents who live and recreate in the area. The current road needs to be brought up to acceptable County road standards. This would facilitate rapid response of our larger pieces of fire apparatus as well as minimize damage to our equipment. Presently, the community's volunteer fire company serves as the first line of response until a fire company arrives from Pahoa. Then it becomes quite difficult to negotiate their way into the area because of poor road conditions, thus prolonging the response time of our units to get to the scene of an emergency. This improved section of road may also serve as an escape route out of the Hawaiian Beaches area during large brush fires. It will ease the traffic burden on Hale Kahakai Boulevard if an evacuation is ordered during an emergency and not cause any undue delay of responding fire units. ~p11 CO A 'nED~ To: Margarita Hopkins, Director of Research & Development Page 2 May 9, 2000 Our Department enthusiastically supports your efforts to modernize and improve this vital link for the Wa'a Wa'a area. We look forward to the completion of this worthwhile project. EDWAR TAY Fire Chief EB/mo