HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 206 Draft 03 1998-2000 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 206-2K
(Draft 3)
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ACQUISITION BY HAWAII COUNTY OF THE HILO TO HAWAIIAN
PARADISE PARK SECTION OF THE FORMER HILO TO KAPOHO RAILROAD.
WHEREAS, the former Hilo to Kapoho Railroad right~f- way is still physically intact and is currently in use as a
private right-of--way; and
WHEREAS, pathways that are separate from roads and highways offer a safe, pleasant and desirable alternative
transportation corridor for non-motorized use; and
WHEREAS, there is broad based community support for such pathways; and
WHEREAS, pathways encourage, facilitate and increase the number of trips taken by bicycling, walking, jogging, in-
line skating and wheelchair users; and
WHEREAS, the pathway, approximately six (6) miles in length, will provide a direct connection between the growing
communities of Hilo, Kea`au and Hawaiian Paradise Park; and
WHEREAS, the pathway extends beyond Hawaiian Paradise Park (as the former railroad) to Hawaiian Beaches and
to Kapoho, and provides connectivity to these publicly owned sections, which are currently limited to non-motorized
public use and agricultural/commercial motorized business access use; and
WHEREAS, community pathways help bring people and their communities together and provide an infrastructure to
support community sustainability; and
WHEREAS, the pathway will provide connectivity to the Old Government Roads in Puna and the Volcano Trail and
will become a key element of a trails system for Puna and the island-wide Ka`apuni o Hawaii circle-island trail: and
WHEREAS. pathways act to reduce dependence on automobiles, reduce the number of auto-trips, improve air quality,
reduce noise, reduce non-point source pollution, and reduce carbon emissions; and
W}{EREAS, pathways act positively to increase individual levels of health and fitness for all age groups, stimulate
sustainable community-based businesses, increase property values; and
WHERF,AS, the pathway will provide sate and convenient access for bicycle commuting students and faculty to
several schools in Keaau; and
WHEREAS, the pathway will provide opportunity for families to share in healthful outdoor exercise in a relatively
safe, and park-like setting free from the noise, fumes, and danger associated with highways; and
WHEREAS, there is federal support and financing available for construction and improvement of such pathways; and
WHEREAS, the land value of County or State owned right-of-ways may be used as the local, non-federal match for
federal funding; and
WHEREAS, there is a Hawaii island vision for pathways in Puna and all other districts of Hawaii Island that may
connect in the future to form acircle-island pathway (the Ka`apuni o Hawaii Pathway), and that is supported by
existing Hawaii County Council Resolution Nos. 184-95 and 269-98; and
WHEREAS, the County Parks & Recreation Department will seek input and guidance from the Hawaiian Community
in order to protect and preserve local sites of historical and cultural importance; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the right-of--way may be used as an emergency access route for lower Puna in the event of
emergency; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it supports the
acquisition of the Hilo to Hawaiian Paradise Park section of the former Hilo to Kapoho Railroad right-of--way.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it supports the initiation of collaborative steps between the Hawaii County
Council, the Honorable Mayor Stephen Yamashiro, County Departments, landowners and interested members of the
community toward this right-of--way acquisition, which will not have a negative impact on the current
agricultural/commercial motorized business access use of roadway as well as historical and cultural sites.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii transmit copies of this resolution to the
Department of Parks & Recreation, Department of Public Works, and the Bicycle Advisory Board.
DATED: Hilo, Hawaii, February 16, 2000
INTRODUCED BY:
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COUNCIL MEMBER F HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL voTE
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii Hues Noes ASB Px
ARAKAKI X
1 hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the C'HUNG X
vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of
the County of Hawaii on February 16. 2000 eLnRloNOfP g
JACUt3SON X
ATTEST: LFITHEAD=TODD X
PISICCHIO X
SMITH X
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t YAGONG
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C-630/PWPC-67
Reference: ~j
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.
(DRAFT 3)