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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication Number 2017-06 Waikoloa Liaison Report - AugCommunication no. 2017-06 Submittal to SKC DPAC Author: WCLC / Julia Alos, Chair SUBJECT: Waikoloa Emergency Road Funding / CIP ATTN: John Mueller, Chiar, SKC DPAC FROM: Mark Gordon & Julia Alos, on behalf of Waikoloa Community Leadership Council, and members of SKCDPAC We firmly continue to posture ourselves, as concluded in the "Waikoloa Emergency Road Environmental Assessment, as proposed by County of Hawaii, Department of Public Works, and dated October 2006, and authored by then Director of Public Works, Bruce C. McClure's letter dated October 11, 2006, to G.M. Reimer, Ph.D pp3 statement from the public: "Letters, phone calls, and testimony at meetings indicate that many residents of Waikoloa Village do not agree with your assessment that they have sufficient egress during emergencies. It is our professional judgment that their pleas to build an emergency access road are justified" Further stated in this letter "The population of Waikoloa Village is currently over 8,000 and will grow considerably in the next five years. We agree that evacuating the entire village down Communication no. 2017-06 the emergency road would be cumbersome and time- consuming exercise." Another reference on p.2 "Design of the road" states: The number of vehicles using the emergency access road should be discussed in the DEA. Given the population of 5,000 (Sec. 1.2) , the number of vehicles could be anywhere from 2,000 - 4,000; even running in regimented convoy fashion, it could take 3 - 6 hours to evacuate the Village." Based on this comment, and the road extends 2.13 mines from the terminus of Hulu Street in Waikoloa Village to about the 72 mile marker of Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Throughout this Environmental Assessment, and 7 occasions minimum count, the County documents in its EA wording "It is likely that most of the length of the emergency road will eventually be replaced by a permanent road system of Bridge Aina Le'a project, which is planned for development some time in the next decade." A letter to Robert Ward, dated October 11, 2006, states "It is important to first note that the road is essentially a temporary solution that is very likely to be replaces as planned developments in the area create road networks to lessen Waikoloa Village's isolation Ignoring the fact that Bridge Aina Le'a is obliged as part of its development to build a future connector road from just west of Waikoloa Village to Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, the County count conceivably take such a project on." It states further Communication no. 2017-06 "Considering the high likelihood of Bridge Aina Le'a building most of the length of this very same road at its own expense, County involvement is imprudent at this time." On page 16 of this Environmental Assessment it clearly states 3.3 Socioeconomic 3.3.1 Land Use, Existing Land Use on Project Corridor and Impacts "Bridge Aina Le'a plans to develop lands surrounding the proposed project corridor on plat 6-8-2, and the emergency road corridor itself will become part of the internal road system. Bridge Aina Le'a is cooperating in the planning for the Waikoloa Emergency Road, and may be building a functional equivalent for it during the next decade." Also on page 16, 3.32 Land Use Designations it states: "The General Plan for the County of Hawai'i, adopted by ordinance in 2005, is a policy document expressing broad goals and policies for the long-range development of the island of Hawai'i. The County General Plan calls for the following among its Transportation Goals: - Provide a transportation system whereby people and goods can move efficiently, safely, comfortably and economically. - Provide a system of thoroughfares and streets for safe, efficient and comfortable movement of people and goods between and within various sections of the County. The project is consistent with the Transportation Goals of the County of Hawai'i General Plan because it would allow people Communication no. 2017-06 to move efficiently in the interest of their safety, given that the area is frequently at risk for natural disasters." INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROJECT 1.2 Project Purpose and Need: "Waikoloa Village is one of the fastest growing urban areas in Hawai'i County and this growth is expected to continue. There is a critical need for an additional evacuation route". 3. The EA should consider other specific uses that are not inconsistent with the project as proposed. - Evacuations other than just from Waikoloa could occur and should be identified in the final EA. - Options for limited mass transit and school transportation should not be overlooked. 4. An all weather surface, as well as wider traveled way should be considered in the EA. This may not be required immediately, but could be needed for future uses, if alternative routes are delayed. - An improved surface would assure full functionality if an evacuation were required during or after heavy rains. - A surface other than just gravel would provide greater protection of the road when not in use. Communication no. 2017-06 - An improved traveled way would allow a higher capacity at the time it may be needed most. United States Census Bureau Source: 2010 Demographic Profile lists "Waikoloa Village CDP, Hawaii" population at 6,362 https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/]�sf/pages/communit y facts.xhtml?src=bkmk In 1990, it's population was 2248, and in 2000, an increase of 214% to 4806 census. From 2000 to 2010 we increased at 132.3%. We must wait another 3 years + to update the 7 year old Census Population numbers. https://data.hawaii.gov/Economic-Development/Motor Vehicle-Registration-Trend/i6gp-tvm3/data 2006 data for Hawaii County Registered Vehicles 719,640 - latest data available on website 2013 - 845,567 or a 117% increase in registered vehicles in a short 7 years. Communication no. 2017-06 In summary: The Waikoloa Community Leadership Council (WLC) believes that a second road, in addition to Paniolo Drive, is critical and paramount for emergencies and evacuations out of the Village. The County must also consider Waikoloa Village conveniently lends itself to receive our resort and residential makai communities, known as Waikoloa and Mauna Lani Resorts. Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott, Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani and Mauna Lani Bay & Bungalows alone, at full occupancy, adds more than 9,000 additional guests, not including a single residential structure, with hundreds more being constructed as we submit this request. We appreciate the continuing efforts done by the County and HPD in maintaining the secondary egress road out of the village. WCLC and majority of its residents strongly support a second 4 lane road for the Village similar to Paniolo Drive. This road should not just simply be an emergency egress route, but a permanent paved road with shoulders, bike lanes, trails, as well as consider the future possibilities and development in our area. The most recent update, printed as FINAL November, 2007 Communication no. 2017-06 Appendix A Ordinance No. 2008 - 159 "South Kohala Community Development Plan - CDP items addresses our vision moving forward, and now nine years past.