HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0092.022 2016-2018 Pi apecrAL
NOTE: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Caudal_
PALL 11, PR.2
COUNT{ .CLERli COMM. X2.4
COUNTY OF HAWAII
May 17, 2017
of the Council—May18, 2017, Hilo Chaml `
Special Meeting
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BILL 12, DRAFT 2, PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET FOR JULY 1, 2017
TO JUNE 30, 2018
Comm.92-4—Memo 2: V. Poindexter, re-appropriates Department of Public Work's Laupahoehoe Point
Access Road Improvements (Reapp. 5393.84)$2,300,000
My name is Lucille V. Chung, born and raised in Laupahoehoe; employed as the Police Operations Clerk
at Laupahoehoe Police Station from 1962 thru December 1994, am the current president of the
Hawaiian Civic Club of Laupahoehoe, served as past president of the North Hilo Community Council, and
who remains active in community issues affecting our North Hilo District, I submit testimony in support
of the re-appropriation of$2,300.00 to address improvements to the Laupahoehoe Point Access Road
which is in dire need of attention.
Laupahoehoe Beach Park which is under the jurisdiction of the County of Hawaii's Department of Parks
& Recreation is the jewel and piko of Laupahoehoe.
Historically this area was once the boom town of Laupahoehoe that had approximately 2,000 residents,
businesses, government entities such as the police station,the courthouse,the post office, the school
and a harbor that brought goods into and out of Laupahoehoe which included cane and cattle.
As commerce and modes of transportation changed from horse and buggy to trains,to vehicles to what
we have today, and the tragedy of the 1946 Tidal Wave,the businesses,government entities,the school
and most of the residents moved mauka to where they are located today, leaving Laupahoehoe Point
the residence to a few and a sacred,tranquil, healing recreational area to most. A few years ago, a
police officer told me that they had a counter on the road to Laupahoehoe Beach Park which counted
300 cars a day visiting the area.
We hold our family reunions at this beach park every three years. The next one will be held next year
with at least 200 in attendance. The Laupahoehoe Music Festival,the Laupahoehoe School's Service ad
Memorial Project and Na Waiwai 0 Laupahoehoe is held at this spot annualy. The Senior Citizens and
Pensioners Club gather at the gym at least two times a month to hold their meetings and many family
gatherings and special occasions are held there throughout the year. We are passionate about
Laupahoehoe Point,therefore it is very important to the community that this only access to the area
needs attention and repair since the Hilo access to the area is now closed and has been closed for many
years.
As noted in the proposal for re-appropriation,the road is in dire need of attention and repair. Although
we have not had a meeting to bring this amendment to the budget to the attention of the community,
and I am submitting this testimony on behalf of myself, I can assuredly say that the North Hilo
Community would also be in support of this proposed amendment as Laupahoehoe Beach Park and Gym
is heavilyby used members of the community as well as visitors to our island; and, it remains the
residence of some members of the community and it is the only access to the area. I strongly urge the
council to support this amendment.
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
.K Dat, MAY 1 8 2017