Communication Number 2018-12 South Kohala Action Committee Priorities Draft

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Harry Kim Mayor West Hawaii Office 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Phone (808) 323-4770 Fax (808) 327-3563 September 24, 2018 County of Hawaii PLANNING DEPARTMENT SOUTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Michael Yee, Director Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 SUBJECT: South Kohala CDP Action Committee Priorities: • Potable Water in Kawaihae. • Wastewater Treatment System in Puako. • Waimea Historic District. • Waikoloa Intersection. • Emergency Shelters in District. Michael Yee Director Daryn Arai Deputy Director East Hawai `i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 Aloha Director Yee, The South Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) has extensively discussed district priorities and developed the following list of priority projects for the upcoming year. We believe these projects reflect some of the major needs in our community and are supported in large part by our partner community groups and organizations. We plan to work toward these projects through the upcoming year. Please also forward this letter to the department heads and officials you deem appropriate for their knowledge and consideration. These items are listed in no particular order. 1. Potable Water in Kawaihae. The Kawaihae community continues to experience a severe lack of infrastructure to supply potable water. This has limited the development of much needed infrastructure in the area. Despite the current exceptionally high water costs for Kawaihae, a recent notification from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) has alerted residents of a 380% increase in water supply costs within the next ten years. (Please see the DHHL notice to residents attached.) The South Kohala CDP Action Committee has been actively involved with the Kailapa Community Association, which has looked into this issue at great length for many years. We seek funding for alternate sources of potable water for the area, and increased support and collaboration amongst County and State officials over the matter.