HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2025-04 Orchidland Estates Infrastructure Letter Final
County of Hawai‘i
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
Gregory Henkel, Vice Chair Jennifer Scheffel Martha Morishige Kanoe Wilson Leilani DeMello, Chair
Vacant Leila Kealoha Susan Osborne Franny Brewer
March 21, 2025
Department of Water Supply
County of Hawaiʻi 345 Kekuanaoa Street, Suite 20 Hilo, HI 96720
Subject: Request for Water Line and Water Hauling Station on Orchidland Drive,
Puna, in Alignment with Puna CDP Goals
Aloha Mr. Okamoto:
The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee (AC) met on February 27, 2025, at the Keaʻau Community Center. Included on the agenda was discussion and decision making on whether to submit a formal letter regarding the Orchidland Estates Infrastructure to the
Department of Water Supply Chief Engineer and related agencies. The discussion incorporated valuable community input to ensure the concerns and perspectives of residents were fully represented. Following deliberation, the committee voted unanimously to submit the letter collectively, identified as Communication No. 2025-03.
Sincerely,
Leilani DeMello, Chair
Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
KK:jh V:\PL\PL\planning\public\wpwin60\CDP\CDP - Puna\Action Committee\Meetings\2025\2025 Communications\Communication No. 2025-03 Orchidland Estates Infrastructure Letter.pdf
cc via email: Matt Kanealiʻi Kleinfelder, District 5 County Councilmember Kimo Alameda, County Hawaiʻi Mayor
Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Department Director
Board of Water Supply
Leilani DeMello (Mar 21, 2025 11:33 HST)
March 20, 2025
Keith Okamoto
Department of Water Supply Chief Engineer
345 Kekuanaoa Street, Suite 20 Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Mr. Okamoto,
The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) prioritizes infrastructure improvements that
enhance the quality of life for residents and support sustainable community growth. In alignment
with these objectives, we urge the County of Hawai`i to construct a water line and establish a water hauling and spigot station along Orchidland Drive to address the pressing needs of residents and businesses in the area.
Critical Need for Public Water Access
Orchidland Estates and surrounding neighborhoods currently lack adequate access to public
water. With Puna’s annual rainfall decreasing, reliable water access has become a more urgent issue than ever before. Orchidland Drive serves as a central location between Keaʻau and Pāhoa, making it an ideal site for a water hauling station. Establishing this facility would allow water haulers to shorten delivery distances and provide residents and farmers with more convenient
access to essential water resources—without requiring travel on Highway 130.
Supporting the PCDP Goal of a Village Center
The PCDP (Section 3.1) envisions the development of Village Centers that provide essential goods and services within residential communities, reducing reliance on major highways. A water line along Orchidland Drive is a critical first step in realizing this vision by enabling the
future establishment of a Village Center. Potential businesses, such as a grocery store and laundromat, could serve the daily needs of residents while decreasing traffic congestion on Highway 130.
Additionally, a major development was initiated along Orchidland Drive between 35th and 36th Avenues, possibly as the foundation of a Village Center. However, the project has stalled.
Installing a county water line could help revitalize this project and attract investment to the area.
Enhancing Community Spaces
The local non-profit Orchidland Neighbors has taken proactive steps to enhance community infrastructure by purchasing a four-acre lot on 36th Avenue to develop a community center and park. Their plans include a multi-purpose facility with classrooms, a commercial kitchen, a
meeting hall, and outdoor recreational spaces. However, the lack of public water access remains a major obstacle to the realization of this project. Extending a water line to Orchidland Drive would also directly support this community-led initiative.
Communication No. 2025-03
Request for County Action
In accordance with the PCDP’s priorities, we respectfully request the County of Hawai`i to
construct a water line along Orchidland Drive, extending at least to the 37th Avenue intersection.
This would facilitate the establishment of a water hauling station and public spigot access, directly benefiting residents, businesses, and future developments.
We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with relevant county departments to advance this essential infrastructure project. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to
your response.
Sincerely,
Leilani DeMello, Chair Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee
Leilani DeMello (Mar 21, 2025 11:33 HST)
Orchidland Estates Infrastructure Letter 3-21-25
Final Audit Report 2025-03-21
Created:2025-03-21
By:Shantel Miller (shantel.miller@hawaiicounty.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAObNib-cBQ31PF-8kPZz4BbR2mWzXiZp-
"Orchidland Estates Infrastructure Letter 3-21-25" History
Document created by Shantel Miller (shantel.miller@hawaiicounty.gov)
2025-03-21 - 6:34:05 PM GMT
Document emailed to m.leilani.demello@gmail.com for signature
2025-03-21 - 6:34:11 PM GMT
Email viewed by m.leilani.demello@gmail.com
2025-03-21 - 9:27:23 PM GMT
Signer m.leilani.demello@gmail.com entered name at signing as Leilani DeMello
2025-03-21 - 9:32:58 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Leilani DeMello (m.leilani.demello@gmail.com)
Signature Date: 2025-03-21 - 9:33:00 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2025-03-21 - 9:33:00 PM GMT