HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0526.000 2004-2006 fT~'~~;:
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Harry Kim Bruce C. McClure
_ Jiko A• Silrtyada
Depufr On'eclor
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Aopuni Center
101 Fauahi Street, Suite 7 ~ Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0224
(808) 961-8321 -Fax (808) 961-8630
October 24, 2005
Honorable Stacy K. Higa, Chairperson
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Subject: Resolution to Remove one Mango Tree from the Pohoiki Mango Grove
Our department has supervised preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed
Pohoiki Bypass. In brief, the project involves realigning about a half mile of the Kaimu-
Kapoho Road in order to bypass an area that is sinking almost an inch per year. The area has
become increasingly flooded during high tides. The road is difficult and costly for the
County to maintain. Many vehicles have difficulty passing at very high tides, and the salty
water creates wear and tear on vehicles. This situation gets worse during heavy surf. An
episode of catastrophic subsidence, such as occurred in the November 1975 earthquake,
could depress the road to a level so low that it would be completely impassable. There is no
"easy" way around the flooded area, as wetlands are present on both sides. Furthermore, the
presence of a road within this enlarging wetlands is environmentally undesirable. The project
will relocate this section of the road approximately 800 feet mauka (northwest), thereby
bypassing ]saac Hale County Park. The project will help maintain and improve a vital
transportation and evacuation ]ink for Puna, will enhance the safety and quality of Isaac Hale
Park, and will decrease undesirable effects on wetlands.
The 600+ mango trees fringing the Pahoa-Pohoiki Road are identified in the General Plan as
highly scenic and have furthermore been designated "exceptional trees" protected under the
Hawaii County Code, Article ]0, Section 14. Construction of the intersection ofPahoa-
Pohoiki Road and the Kaimu-Kapoho Road would affect one (1) mango tree in the protected
grove. on the Kapoho side of the road. The tree is directly on the centerline of the
intersection, which cannot be shifted without severely compromising the sight distance and
efficiency of the intersection for larger vehicles. such as boats hauling trailers.
The EA process has involved a careful search for reasonable alternatives to avoid removing
this tree while retaining a safe intersection that accommodates the boat trailers that are such
/ ` Comm. No._-_______.-
a..~l"~~j ~ County o1 Hnwai~i is un Fsµtal Oppnttuniic Pnrvider and Employc7- Ref. TO:
Reif. Cate IVUV~,
1
Letter to Council
Page 2
October 24, 2005
an important part of the economy and culture of the Pohoiki area. DPW believes that, on
balance, the improvement of the intersection is worth the removal of one tree from a large
grove particularly given the commitment to landscape with natives along other sections of
the road and/or within adjacent areas of Isaac Hale County Park.
We are therefore requesting the County Council to consider allowing us to remove this tree
in the interest of public safely
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
APPROVED:
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Bruce C. McClure, P.E. Harry Kir~i
Director of Public Works Mayor
BCMBI
Enclosures