HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-25 Letter to Ryan I. Yamane and Chris Todd HCR 140-HR 129 Relating to the Construction of a Boat Ramp in the Puna District
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 25, 2019
Representative Ryan I. Yamane, Chair
Representative Chris Todd, Vice Chair
Committee on Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs
Dear Chair Yamane, Vice Chair Todd, and Committee Members:
RE: HCR 140/HR 129 Relating to the Construction of a Boat Ramp in the Puna District
Thank you for this opportunity to provide supportive comments on HCR 140 and HR 129. These
measures would ask the Department of Land and Natural Resources to do 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.
Your support of HCR 140/ HR 129 would be sincerely appreciated.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR