HomeMy WebLinkAbout19th Mayor's Waipio Valley Road continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 �,AY*1pYF h
C.Kimo Alameda Ph.D "� j ;* William V.Brilhante,Jr.
Managing Director
Mayor• �;• ;*
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
r''F'OF"'Wpm
County of Hawai .
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
Mayor's Waipio Valley Road Continued
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No.l
Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawaii Revised Statutes ("HRS") Sections
264-1.5 and 127A-25(a),the County of Hawai`i's police powers, and due to the public welfare,
health and safety concerns presented by the current conditions of the Waipio Valley Road and
the impact of closure on those located in Waipio 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 Nineteenth
Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Eighteenth Declaration of Emergency for
Waipio Valley Road effective September 5, 2025.
I, C. Kimo Alameda, 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 ATV's; and
3. Prohibition of horseback access.
B. 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 of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider 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 Waipio 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 During 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 Waipio Valley Road as otherwise provided by law.
D. Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction
Access to Waipio 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 Waipio Valley Road may be found at][3.IIictlt]s..I jj .2lz C o 11Alt. , : q l ublic Works.
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
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 3rd day of September, 2025 in Hilo, Hawaii.
C. Kimo Alameda, PIED
Mayor
County of Hawai i
APPROVED AS TO
FORM AND LEGALITY:
Sinclair Salas-Ferguson
Deputy Corporation Counsel
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.