HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 416 Draft 01 2022-2024-4 Of
COUNTY OF HAWAPI STATE OF HAWAIII
or
RESOLUTION NO. qll 16 2 4
A RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
TO REMOVE PARCELS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS FROM CONSIDERATION WHEN STUDYING THE
FEASIBILITY OF A PUNA MAKAI ALTERNATE ROUTE.
WHEREAS, in 2022, the Hawaii State Legislature allocated $ 1,000,000 for the purpose
of plans and designs to conduct site surveys on the Island of Hawaii to identify the most suitable
location for an alternate route in Puna below Highway 130, contingent upon the County of
Hawaii providing $500,000 in matching funds; and
WHEREAS, in January 2024, the County Council considered Bill No. 107, which would
release the matching funds for a total of $1,500,000 to be used for this study; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Puna Makai alternate route ("PMAR") would address the
traffic concerns related to the growing population and emergency response needs of the Puna
region, which has experienced numerous natural disasters over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, the Puna Community Development Plan highlights the need for an alternate
route in Puna, which is critical to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance overall community
safety; and
WHEREAS, during its discussion of Bill No. 107, the Council emphasized transparency
in the implementation of this project utilizing available public funds; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is well-equipped and qualified to
undertake this project, which would investigate the various engineering challenges and
potential environmental impacts posed by identified alternate routes; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands issued public testimony
on Bill 107 declaring that none of the lands under its jurisdiction in Pana'ewa and
Keaukaha should be considered for the PMAR; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIII that
parcels under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should not be
considered for the PMAR and the route should not connect to the homestead communities of
Pana'ewa and Keaukaha.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Mayor and the Director of
Public Works to fulfill the scope of work outlined by the State Legislature and allocate
supplemental funds to broaden the scope to encompass the examination of potential alternate
routes in communities directly mauka of Highway 130, such as 'Ainaloa and Orchidland.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the Mayor and the Director of
Public Works to consistently engage the communities affected throughout the study process
including design, implementation, and evaluation.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai`i; Diane
Nakagawa, Director of Finance; Zendo Kern, Planning Director; Stephen Pause, the Director of
Public Works; Victor Kandle, Mass Transit Administrator; Talmadge Magno, Civil Defense
Administrator; the Honorable Members of the Hawai`i Island delegation to the Hawai`i State
Legislature; Edwin H. Sniffen, Director of the Department of Transportation; Kali Watson,
Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Douglas Le, Disaster Recovery Officer,
Planning Department; and the Members of the Puna Community Development Plan Action
Committee.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 24th day of January , 2024.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
urs5IL MEMB , TY O HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EVANS X
GALIMBA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA X
County of Hawaii on January 24, 2024
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
ATTEST: KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X
VILLEGAS X
8 0 1 0
Reference: C-691/Waived PCIA
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 41.6 24
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