HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0362.014 2018-2020 CoAd
COMM. G2
From: Tony S
To: Council Testimony
Cc: councilTestimonv(@hawaiicountygov JUL
Subject: Testimony to
Date: Tuesday,July 23,2019 9:43:59 AM
Aloha my name is Tony p Sylva.I used to live in Leilani prior to the 2018 lava flow.I used to only fish out of
pohoiki.
Since the eruption I am forced to go out of Hilo harbor.Fishing is my only income. I've been commercial fishing for
about 8 years .
Now with only hilo boat harbor I burn 3 times more fuel to go fishing and my fishing trips are 3 to four days instead
of just one day.I am making 60%less money per a year and spending 70%more in fuel and maintenance.My boat
engine hours have been climbing extremely high now that I have to make a further trip to my normal fishing
grounds.
Pohoiki was a way of life for my kids and I.1 would come in from fishing and they would be waiting at the harbor.
And on weekends we would camp and go fishing as a family on the boat.
I believe pohoiki is the best place for a new boat ramp.The old ramp was to far inside the surf. I believe a new
ramp should be made still in pohoiki bay but on the new lava where their is no sand.I think a short break wall
should be put up to stop the big waves and that they should dig a channel in the lava.They should also make two
sides on the ramp so if a boat is having issues he can tie up as an emergency parking.They never did make pohoiki
boat ramp safe when they re made it last.I believe with a break wall it would make the beach area safer for
swimming so the kids won't be on the ramp like before.And it would put us boaters in the deeper part of the bay so
waves would not be breaking as steep.A boat ramp on the new lava would also be less likely to be covered again if
another eruption occurred.
Pohoiki already has bathrooms.
It would not be that hard to open up pohoiki road again.
We as fishermen of pohoiki need something started ASAP.A lot of fishermen had to sell their boats because they
could not afford to go out of Hilo and make the long trip.
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date JUL 2 3 2019