HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1137.022 2016-2018 Pt FwP
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From: wpolhemusCa)aol.com T Yr' CLERK
To: council testimonyRhawaiicountv.aov lr V U � { V
F HAWAII
Subject: Resolution 732
Dater Tuesday {�'�}October 30,2018 3 02 49 PM ``¢§ t 38
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P/PWPRC RES. 732-18 (COMM. 1137)
Hawaii County Councilpersons,
I am a resident of the Waa Waa subdivision in Hawaii county. I am writing in support of resolution 732-18.
The relief sought by this resolution is imperative for to the safety of the residents in the areas near to the
recent lava flow. It should be noted that this resolution does not request the roadways be cleared out of a
matter of convenience. Hundreds of residents or more could be potentially trapped in the area, should
any event imperil Government Beach Road.This is not so much a matter of reacting to the previous
disaster(the eruption,) as it is preparing for the next disaster to come. Hawaii County is prone to such
events, including but not limited to tsunami, cyclones, earthquakes, and-mass wasting events.
I am an experienced emergency management and public safety professional. It is clear to me, through my
training and experience, that should another event like tropical storm Iselle occur, affecting the lower
Puna district, and if adequate alternative routes have not been (re)established, the entire community
below Honolulu Landing (Papio Street) may be at great risk. Evacuation before an event must content
with the bottleneck now imposed by the sole egress of Government Beach Road.Evacuation during or
after an event may be impossible. This area is not conducive to air support, due to the dense jungle.Any
attempts at evacuation will largely require a ground based response by the first responders.Without
alternate routes this will benearly impossible. The delays incurred may result in loss of life.
I do not, however, support the language in the resolution requiring a re-alignment of Government Beach
Road to Coastal Puna Parkway. There is no justification for this in the need of the community. The current
connection of Government Beach Road to Papio Street is functional, and already supports the needs of
the greater community. Similarly, the above stated public safety necessity of the remaining provisions of
the resolution does not support a conclusion that this realignment is needed. The proposed realignment
would not enhance the resilience of the Government Beach Road corridor, as the areas in which the
roadway is in greatest jeopardy of ocean inundation would not be affected by the re-alignment.Therefore
there is no justification for the public expense or project complexity of the proposed realignment.
Should the residents of Hawaiian Shores and/or the members of the Hawaiian Shores Community
Association desire this realignment, I propose that those residents and/or the Hawaiian Shores
Community Association privately fund the realignment.
Kind regards,
William Polhemus
14-4797 Sadileck Rd.
Pahoa Hi 96778
Comm. N 1114.2'1
Ref. To: PiPINMG
Ref. Date OCT 31 2018