HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-06 Letter to Stephen Clapper re Roads in Puna .2(0Y xx..,,..
,7,9.!.. ...•, Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim � --•
Mayor __-- ` - ? - Barbara J.Kossow
e0.4 " Deputy Managing Director
County of Pat= I
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25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
May 6, 2019
Mr. Stephen Clapper
Dear Mr. Clapper:
Thank you for your correspondence of May 1, 2019. I'm writing to say how sorry I am
for what you and your mother have gone through in the wake of the Lower East Rift
Zone eruption.
Let me explain where we are on restoring the roads in your area. The Department of
Public Works is doing survey work and permitting on Federal Highway 132. We have a
deadline of October 2019 to finish the construction of the road in order for the County to
be 100% reimbursed by the Federal government.
Once Highway 132 is completed, the next priority will be addressing Pohoiki Road,
along which a number of homes were spared by lava.
The Department of Public Works will address Highway 137, and will explore the
possibility of developing a temporary road up to Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland.
This review will be done as soon as Highway 132 is completed.
I wish I could tell you exactly how long it will be, but I assure you that the process of
restoring the roads is moving along. The County and the State are anxious to return our
residents to normal life where possible.
We appreciate your understanding and that of your neighbors as we go through the
necessary steps to get the roads up and running again.
Aloha,
riLA71/49---
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.