HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. No. 2019-02 Draft Support Letter for Reestablishment of Inundated RoadsHarry Kim
Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Comm. No. 2019-02
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
March 6, 2019
Michael Yee, Director
Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Mr. Yee:
Michael Yee
Director
Duane Kanuha
Deputy Director
Subject: Request to Forward Letter of Support to Mayor Kim Regarding the
Reestablishment of Access on Hi2hway 132, 137, and Pahoa-Pohoiki Road.
We respectfully request that you forward the attached support letter for the reestablishment of
Highway 132, 137, and Pahoa-Pohoiki Road to Mayor Kim with copies to each Puna Council Member,
the Governor, Hawaii State Legislators representing Puna, and each of the Hawaii federal legislators,
as well as the Kilauea Eruption Recovery Support Function Team.
In community outreach efforts post eruption, we have consistently heard from those affected by the
eruption the need to restore vehicular access so that residents may access their homes, lots, farms, and
businesses. Currently, numerous residents, farmers, and businesses are still unable to return to their
homes, farms, and their places of work unless they hike in or drive on alternate routes.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Larry Brown
Chair, Puna CDP Action Committee
Harry Kim
Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Comm. No. 2019-02
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
March 6, 2019
Mayor Harry Kim
County of Hawai `i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni St. 92603
Hilo, HI 96720
Michael Yee
Director
Duane Kanuha
Deputy Director
SUBJECT: Reestablishment of Access on Hi2hway 132, 137, and Pahoa-Pohoiki Road.
Following the devastating Kilauea eruption during the spring and summer of 2018, the Puna
Community Development Plan Action Committee (PCDP AC) has strived to serve as a conduit for
information, transparency and planning in support of community involvement and communication. To
that end, the PCDP AC, in addition to our regular bi-monthly and special meetings, has been
collaborating with the County of Hawai`i's Planning Department and Department of Research and
Development in conducting informal neighborhood talk -story meetings with affected Puna residents,
businesses and farmers. What has been consistently heard from those affected by the eruption and lava
flows is the need for restoring vehicular access to their homes, lots, farms and businesses.
Currently, numerous residents, farmers and businesses that are still either unable to return to their
homes, farms and their places of work unless they hike in, or only able to drive via Kahakai Blvd.
through Hawaiian Beaches/Shores and Beach Road between Kahakai Blvd. and Four Corners in
Kapoho. This situation poses significant safety concerns for vehicular traffic in the area as well as
neighborhood residents along Beach Road and Kahakai Blvd., which are not roadways designed to
accommodate the increased traffic.
The accesses that are needed include the reestablishment of Highway 132 between the Highway 132
and Pohoiki Road intersection and the Kapoho four corners area, all of Pohoiki Road and clearing of
Highway 137 between Four Corners in Kapoho and Kamaili Road.
In addition to the Puna residents, we need to be mindful of the increasing number tourists using these
access routes as well. If an emergency were to occur in any of these areas the roads would be flooded
with people and vehicles potentially allowing for an even more dangerous situation.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Mayor Harry Kim
County of Hawai `i
Office of the Mayor
March XX, 2019
Page 2
The 2018 Kilauea eruption that occurred in the Lower East Rift Zone of Puna has covered significant
portions of Highways 132, 137 and Pohoiki Road. Goal 4.3.1a of the Puna Community Development
Plan (PCDP) states that "There are adequate emergency and evacuation routes and connectivity
throughout Puna's roadway network." Also, Objective 4.3.2 a, states: "Create alternative, redundant
routes for existing Highways 11, 130 and 132 using existing routes wherever possible."
It is the County and State's responsibility to keep the people of these communities safe. The PCDP AC
members are relaying the concerns of our residents and are asking for the support from County, State,
and federal agencies to expeditiously provide reasonable vehicular access for the residents, business
owners and farmers in these areas to facilitate the return of a sense of normalcy and community.
Sincerely,
Larry Brown
Chair, Puna CDP Action Committee
cc: Ms. Susan Lee Loy, County Council Member District 3
Ms. Ashley Kierkiewicz, County Council Member District 4
Mr. Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, County Council Member District 5
Ms. Maile David, County Council Member District 6
Mr. David Ige, Governor of Hawai `i
Mr. Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator for Hawaii
Ms. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator for Hawaii
Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, Congresswoman District 2
Mr. Russell Ruderman, State Senator District 2
Mr. Richard Onishi, State Representative District 3
Ms. Joy San Buenaventura, State Representative District 4
Kilauea Eruption Recovery Support Function Team