HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-01 Letter to Senator Kahele, Keith-Agaran re SB 472 Relating to Puna (Boat Ramp) ' Wil Okabe
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County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
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February 1, 2019
Senator Kaiali'i Kahele, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
Dear Chair Kahele, Vice-Chair Keith-Agaran and Committee Members:
RE: SB 472, RELATING TO PUNA (Boat ramp)
Thank you for this opportunity to provide supportive comments on SB 472. This bill would
provide funding to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility and cost
study as a necessary first step toward the development of a new boat ramp as a replacement for the
Pohoiki Boat Ramp in lower Puna.
Prior to the extensive sand deposits laid down during the recent Kilauea eruption, the Pohoiki
Boat Ramp played a critical public role in affording ocean access for commercial and recreational
fishing and sightseeing boats. Today, access is completely blocked and the feasibility of dredging the
sand to restore the boat ramp appears to be diminishing, as currents and waves are depositing an
additional 10 yards of sand per week with projections that by the end of the year there may be no surf
conditions at the site.
Commercial fishers are now forced to utilize a boat ramp in Hilo, which is approximately 33
miles, and an hour-long drive, from Pohoiki, thus, increasing the time and cost for each trip and
adding to the economic losses experienced. These hardworking residents are eager to have the
State restore access to waters along the Puna district's prolific and valued fishing grounds.
The Committee on Water and Land's support of SB472 would be sincerely appreciated.
Sincerely,
HarryKim &
MAYOR
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