HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-21 Letter to Larry Brown re Re-establishment of Access on Hwy 132, 137 and Pahoa-Pohoiki Road •Y �� .• .' Wil Okabe
t s� Managing Director
Harry Kim 1,(•54
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r - - Barbara J.Kossow
°;NP Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
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 21, 2019
Larry Brown, Chair
Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
C/O Planning Department
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Brown and Committee Members,
RE: Re-establishment of Access on Highway 132, 137 and
Pahoa-Pohoiki Road
Thank you for the letter dated March 7, 2019 from the Puna Community
Development Plan Action Committee communicating concerns raised by residents,
businesses and farmers relating to the re-establishment of access on Highway 132, 137
and Pahoa-Pohoiki Road. I am pleased to report that efforts are proceeding with
planning for the restoration of all three roadways.
The first priority is the establishment of Highway 132, which will provide access
to many properties and alleviate excess traffic within neighboring subdivisions and
substandard roadways. Below is an updated schedule of work planned and completed:
Work In Progress & Complete - Updated May 16, 2019
• In Progress: Receipt of survey work data for roadway designs and cost estimates.
• In Progress: Aligning time-frames and requirements with Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Highways Administration (FHWA).
• Required: Property owners responses to the previously sent right of entry letters;
for properties abutting Highway 132 and Pohoiki Road that may require limited
entry on their property for road construction.
• Complete: Field work for Light Detection and Ranging (Drone) photogrammetry
survey of The lava inundated roads.
County of Hawa,'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
May 21, 2019
Page 2
• Complete: Permitting requirements for temporary road construction, including the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorial Exclusion (CatEx) permit, Special
Management Area (SMA) permit and a grading permit which will be reviewed by
Department of Public Works and State Historic Preservation Division.
Estimated Schedule (Subject to Change)
• Summer 2019: Consultants complete an alternative study comparing and
recommending permanent alternatives for Highway 132 as part of the federally-
mandated NEPA process.
• June-September 2019: Receipt of survey work data for road construction
design completion.
• June-October 2019: Construction of Highway 132 temporary road.
• October 5, 2019: Complete construction no later than this date to qualify for 100%
FHWA reimbursement.
Other roads will be addressed following the completion of Highway 132, with
some work to be completed simultaneously such as Light Detection and Ranging
(Drone) photogrammetry survey. Additionally, much work will be accomplished in-house
by County Public Works such as design and engineering.
The County is doing all that it can to address access concerns and needs while
carrying out the federal guidance and mandates from the FEMA, FHWA and State
regulatory agencies to ensure the County meets all necessary permitting and
reimbursement requirements.
I understand and empathize with families, businesses and the broader
community which may simply want to get back home and to work; however, all need to
bear in mind that Recovery is a long process. To stay abreast of emerging information,
including road restoration activities and timelines, and other recovery plans, community
members are encouraged to routinely visit the Kilauea Recovery webpage at
http://www.hawaiicountv.gov/kilauea-eruption-recovery and sign up for periodic email
updates at kilauearecovery@hawaiicountv.gov.
County of Hawai i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
May 21, 2019
Page 3
Finally, I want to sincerely thank the Puna Community Development Plan Action
Committee for the leadership role it has played in the Kilauea Recovery efforts. Your
service to the community is very important.
Sinc rely,
HARRY KIM
MAYOR
c: Susan Lee Loy, County Council Member District 3
Ashley Kierkiewicz, County Council Member District 4
Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, County Council Member District 5
Maile David, County Council Member District 6
David Ige, Governor State of Hawaii
Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator for Hawaii
Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator for Hawaii
Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Congress Member District 2
Russell Ruderman, State Senator District 2
Joy San Buenaventura, State Representative District 4
Kilauea Recovery Team
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Fmployer