HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02-2025 Mayors Waipiʻo Valley Road Continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 C.Limo Alameda,Ph.D William V.Brilhante,Jr.
Managing Director
Uqyor
Merrick Nishimoto
Depu�)�Managing Director
Gunfv of PU�X I
Offirr of f4r,Uapr
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohok5lole Hwy,, Bldg C * Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 * Fax(808)323-4440
Mayor's Waipi'o Valley Road Continued
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No.1
Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS")
Sections 264-1.5 and 127A-25(a), the County of Hawaii's police powers, and due to the
public welfare, health and safety concerns presented by the current conditions of the
Waipi'o Valley Road and the impact of closure on those located in Waipi'o Valley if the
road is closed or fails, I hereby continue, adoption and promulgation of this Mayor's
Waipio Valley Road Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 previously
adopted and promulgated on September 15, 2022. These rules have the force and
effect of law.
This Continued Emergency Rule is based on the statements contained in the
Fourteenth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Fourteenth Declaration
of Emergency for Waipi'o Valley Road effective January 6, 2025.
1, C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D., Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby authorize
the following:
A. Waipio Valley Road Closure
Waipio Valley Road shall be closed, subject to the express limited exceptions
herein. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Prohibition of all pedestrians;
2. Prohibition of uncovered vehicles, including but not limited to ATVs;
and
3. Prohibition of horseback access,
13. Limited Access Exceptions
1. Vehicular access by Hawaii County residents, permitted
licensed/insured tour operators, and Native Hawaiians claiming
exercise of traditional and/or customary rights.
a. Vehicles and passengers shall abide by existing traffic laws,
including:
County ofl-lawai'i is an Equal OPPOMLfflit)(Ilrovider and Employer,
Mayor's Waipio,Valley Road Continued
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1
Page 2 of 3
i. Vehicular use is limited to low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles
(All wheel drive vehicles are not considered low range, four-
wheel drive vehicles);
ii. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shall not exceed 10,000
pounds except for utility and emergency vehicles, or existing
vehicles used for transit of agricultural products;
iii. Vehicles shall be engaged in four-wheel drive mode at all
times;
iv. Vehicle passengers shall be seated in enclosed compartments
of vehicles designed for passenger seating and wearing
seatbelts;
v. Makai-bound vehicles shall yield to mauka-bound vehicles,
b. Licensed/insured tour operators must obtain a permit from the
Mayor's office. Please call (808) 961-8211.
i. Permits shall be effective for a period of four (4) months from
date of issuance,
2. The Mayor may grant individual exemptions to this rule upon request
and shall explain the purpose for which Waipi'o Valley Road will be
used and upon sufficient showing that safety precautions consistent
with these rules are in place. The decision to grant or deny a request
is within the sole discretion of the Mayor. Request shall be submitted
to the Mayor's Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603, Hilo, Hawaii
96720.
C. Regardless of Limited Access Exceptions Pursuant to Section B.,
Complete Closure Durinq Significant Weather Events
1 . Waipio Valley Road shall be closed for all use, or access further may
be limited, during significant weather events as determined by the
Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency in consultation with the
Department of Public Works.
2. This rule is not intended to limit the legal authority of government
agencies to close, or limit use, of Waipi'o Valley Road as otherwise
provided by law.
D. Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction
Access to Waipi'o Valley Road may be closed or further restricted during active
road repair and/or mitigation activities. The Department of Public Works will hold public
meetings as part of its road utilization planning during periods of road construction.
Information and updates regarding the Waipi'o Valley Road may be found at 130efins
Hawaii Cou Fil Public Works.
County ofliawai'i is an hqual Opportunity Provider and Eniptoyer.
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Mayor's Waipio Valley Road Continued
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1
Page 3 of 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of
the County of Hawaii to be affixed. Done this 1, day of January, 2025 in Hilo,
Hawaii.
d.-4Ko Alameda, Ph.D
Mayor
County of Hawaii
APPROVED AS TO
TV.
FORM AND LEGALII
qVVI(X!1L
Sik]',-�r Salas e guson
Deputy Corpor 6on Counsel
County of I lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.