AC-Mayor Bus Service to Airports

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JNSVf0F 14 William P.Kenoi �:'�� '..: Duane Kanuha Mayor Director Bobby Command Deputy Director 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 July 8, 2014 Mayor William P. Kenoi County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni St Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Mass Transit access to the Hawaii County airports Aloha Mayor Kenoi, The Puna CDP Action Committee and its Mass Transit Subcommittee is writing to request a status report and implementation timeline on the availability of bus transport to the Keahole and Hilo airports and to the Hilo Airport Post Office and the Kailua-Kona Post Office. We support mass transit to these locations because of our serious concerns stemming from the lack of bus routes to the airport for the general public. We are even more concerned about the hardship it is placing on community members with disabilities as well as those whose income prohibits them from paying fare for cabs or other more expensive alternatives to the airport. The elderly, parents with young children, and persons with disabilities in our community who cannot afford any mode of transportation other than mass transit, are experiencing greater risks than ever before getting to and from essential medical treatment, as well as other needs which require trips to locations off island. Those who are able to access private transportation not available to members of our community with financial hardships can sometimes take for granted the ease of getting to and from the airport to visit `ohana and loved ones in distress on neighboring islands or abroad, or of getting medical care that requires trips off island. The PCDP Action Committee wishes to express our growing concern for the lack of action by our County's government to provide such basic services as these for our Puna community. The PCDP Action Committee has identified the public transportation Actions in the PCDP as a major concern and of the highest priority, and has tasked the Mass Transit Subcommittee with the responsibility of stewarding their implementation. The Puna Community Development Plan , Transportation Section 4.2.3, Action"k." states: "Expand Hele-On service to include regular service to both Hilo and Keahole International Airports from all existing and future service routes." This is a county wide issue that has long been overlooked. Moreover, this lack of service appears to violate rights protected by Section VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964 and more specifically by the Americans with Disability Act of 1989. Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer