HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0153.010 2018-2020 P/CoonCoil,
COMP&I55
COUNT Y CLERK
C J TY OF HAWAII
April 22, 2019
Nancy L. Seifers
70n APR 22 t
14
14-4318 Kapoho Pahoa Highway
TMK 1-4-012-008-0000
To: Hawaii County Council
Re: Resolutions 90-19 and 91-19
Aloha, I am writing in support of Resolutions 36. I have been a taxpaying resident and farmer in
Kapoho, as well as serving as an educator in our local schools, for over 30 years. I lost 1 house on my
13 acre farm to the brush fire yet my main residence stands pristine waiting for my return. We need this
disaster recovery money to be prioritized and focused on Lower Puna where the disaster took place!
We need this budget to include road recovery, access to Highway 132, 137 and upper Pohoiki Road-
temporary roads, up and over the lava. We displaced residents, families and farmers are still in a state
• of emergency/disaster. A temporary road has been done for Pohoiki Beach access, open to the public,
and PGV has successfully completed the road in to their plant. Lono Lyman and PGV have opened
graciously a temporary very rough and unstable road that has helped some folks return, but not really
live there.A real temporray road for 132 must be done for the many residents isolated off of 132 (more
than 100+TMKs provided and petitions with over 3000 signatures in support), as well as upper Pohoiki
Road and Hwy. 137, where taxpayers also want to return home. Resolution 732-18 was passed
unanimously by the County Council in Nov. and states `Be it further resolved that building Highway
132 and identifying funding sources, obtaining road easements,planning and engineering road
construction should be the highest priority for the County Administration." Aaron Chung was
passionate about the road recovery for residents in his inaugural address as incoming Chair of the
County Council! Our newly elected Council members for Puna are also strong advocates. Let us turn
that Resolution in to action! Waiting until April 5 for our Mayor to even begin access discussions or
July 2019 for State funding is an incredible challenge for the residents of Kapoho.
I had to fly in by helicopter in October and again in December at my own expense, to secure and
maintain my homestead, which I can no longer afford while having to relocate and start my life over. I
also hiked over the fissure in November for the first time, at 70 years old, to ensure that my home is
still safe, and continue to do so. The field is no hotter than the vents have always been in my orchards.
A major portion of Highway 132 still exists. My memories, fruit trees, family member's ashes,
treasures and life's work remain isolated and I want to go home. I had to come out of retirement and
return to work as an educator in order to handle the financial hardships of relocation.
We residents believe it is our government's civic responsibility and duty to protect and serve its
constituents. We ask that the Disaster Recovery money be granted and focused and prioritized on the
AFFECTED disaster area of Lower Puna! The funds are there to help us in the ROAD to recovery by
giving us a ROAD. We want to go home and begin to contribute to our local economy once again.
Please approve Resolution 36 to be directly applied to the area where the disaster took place.
With respect and gratitude,
Sincerely,
Nancy L. Seifers. MEd.
(808) 217-6628 Ir .��
Comm. No. "J
Ref. To: P ICAun0l
Ref. Date APR.2 3 7019