HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication Number 2018-12.1 South Kohala Action Comittee Priorities Final
Communication No. 2018-12.1
Harry Kim Michael Yee
Director
Mayor
Daryn Arai
Deputy Director
East Hawai‘i Office
West Hawai ‘ i Office
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
74 - 5044 Ane Keohok lole Hwy
County of Hawai ‘ i
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Kailua - Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
Phone (808) 961 - 8288
Phone (808) 323 - 4770
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Fax (808) 961 - 8742
Fax (808) 327 - 3563
SOUTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ACTION COMMITTEE
September 24 , 20 18
Michael Yee, Director
Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
S UBJECT: South Kohala CDP Action Committee Priorities :
Potable Water in Kawaihae.
Waimea Historic District.
Waikoloa Intersection P lus Second Access Road .
Emergency Shelters in District.
Aloha Director Yee,
T he South Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) has
extensively discussed district priorities and develop ed 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 o ur partner community groups and organizations. We plan to
work toward these projects through the upcoming year . Please also forward this letter to the
department head s 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 , which has limited the development
of other much needed infrastructure in the area . Despite existing and exceptionally high
water costs for Kawaihae land s north of the industrial area , a recent notification from the
Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) has alerted affected residents of a 38 0%
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.
Communication No. 2018-12.1
Michael Yee, Director
Planning Department
September 24 , 2018
Page 2
2. The South Kohala A C continues to work with
the Puak
important reefs along the South Kohala coast. Research from multiple organizations
including the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Seattle Aquarium, the Nature Conservancy,
Coral Reef Alliance, Stanford University, and Cornell University have revealed the
destructive presence of high levels of multiple pollutants from cesspool leakage nearshore .
Recent State legislation create d a C esspool C onversion Wo rking Group w hose goal is to
develop a long - range, comprehensive plan for cesspool conversion statewide, and report
back to the legislature before the 2021 regular session . Using those guidelines and with
your assistance, w e are willing to assist with the implementation of s olution s to
expeditiously protect our valuable coastline waters.
3. Waimea Historic District. The South Kohala CDP calls for a h istoric d istrict designation
in Waimea to protect its culturally and historically sig nificant sites. A h istoric d istrict
designation would protect Waimea Town’s paniolo culture and overall sense of place. We
currently have a community partnership group researching the process , site location s,
town needs, and viability of such project s .
4. Waikoloa Intersection P lus Second Access Road . An investigatory subcommittee
consisting of three AC members was created in April 2018 to research issues regarding the
Waikoloa Road / Paniolo Avenue intersection as well as the Second Access Road for
Waikolo a Village . Th is undertaking has the attention of many Waikoloa residents who
express concern for traffic congestion and safety issues. These concerns heighten during
emergency situations such as wildfires, which may require evacuation . The work of the
investigatory subcommittee is ongoing , and aim s to provide information on the hazard
risks and potential solutions.
5. Emergency Shelters in District. The South Kohala CDP AC is concerned that the
inventory of emergency shelters in the distr ict may be insufficient in the event of an
evacuation of the residential and resort areas along the coastline. As such, it is of high
importance that emergency shelter facilities are available with the right capacity . An
investigatory subcommittee has been created to assess the need and potential for new
and/or upgraded shelters.
We appreciate your time in considering the priorities of our South Kohala community . Mahalo
for your continued support,
D iane Kaneali‘i, Chair
South Kohala Community Development P lan Action Committee
Communication No. 2018-12.1
Communication No. 2018-12.1