HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2025-02 PUNA ROADS CONNECTIVITY 2-1-25PUNA ROADS CONNECTIVITY
Since well before the adoption of the Puna Community Development Plan in 2008 Puna
communities have been working on the problem of non-existent road connectivity between the
Puna subdivisions. The situation was also outlined in the Puna Regional Circulation Plan of
2005.
In January of 2013 the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee voted to establish
the Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS) to research Puna
connectivity and recommend solution options for implementation by Hawaii County.
The Committee, working with Civil Defense, held two Puna Regional Emergency Preparedness
(PREP) fairs in Kea’au that were attended by thousands of Puna residents. The main focus of
the fair was the Mapping Room where attendees could participate in defining the limitations and
options of connectivity in their own neighborhoods.
From data collected at the 2013 and 2014 PREP fairs a total of 49 points of subdivision
connectivity were identified. Working with Department of Public Works a set of criteria for the
possible development of Connectivity Locations (CLs) were identified and using these criteria
the CLs were prioritized.
The reports on Puna Road Connectivity were presented to the County Council and at the
request of Council Member Ilagan, an Ad-Hoc Committee was established by the Council to
study and present a report back to the Council. This report was completed, submitted, and
accepted by the Council.
An administration change then necessitated that the entire body of work be re-studied. Roy
Takemoto chaired a four-year study of the exhaustive and substantial work already produced by
the CERs and Ad-Hoc Committees. At the close of the Kim administration Roy Takemoto
recommended that the report be implemented and turned it over to Planning.
An administration change then required that the entire project be re-established for the new
mayor and department heads. Despite the mayor’s support, none of the priorities were
addressed by Department of Public Works.
Four years have passed, and we are once again presenting this significant body of work to the
new administration urging the establishment of these critically needed emergency access routes
be established between and withing the Puna subdivisions.
We have experienced multiple disasters affecting Hawaii and Maui Counties and must note that
the lack of emergency connectivity has been a major issue in all of these incidents. The 2014
Pahoa lava flow, 2014 Hurricane Iselle, the 2018 eruption, and the Maui and Kona wild fire
events have all demonstrated the necessity for communities to be able to evacuate in
emergencies. We watched as Waikoloa was granted an emergency access route, and still, not
one single point of connectivity has been established in Puna.
Many of our subdivisions have only one road in and out. Our first priority connectivity location
(between Fern Acres and South Kopua Road), which could be completed for a very small cost,
from bond funds already assigned to Puna Road Connectivity would provide an additional
access route for four subdivisions!
Communication No. 2025-02
It is long past time that the County of Hawaii begin to seriously address the emergency hazards
faced by Puna residents. These small, inexpensive connector roads could enhance public
safety and quality of life for thousands of Puna residents.
We encourage, no, implore you to study our reports and actively support the work to establish
Puna Road Connectivity.