Take a deep dive into Waimea’s ‘critical infrastructure’ during town meeting

The Waimea Community Association invites residents of the North Hawai‘i town to take a deep dive into its “critical infrastructure” during the next Waimea Town Meeting from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. today at the new community center, which is the former Māmane Bakery, located at 64-1056B Māmalahoa Highway.

“Infrastructure seems to be on everyone’s mind; it’s often the root cause of — or contributor to — community needs and concerns,” said Waimea Community Association President Nancy Carr Smith.

The meeting will feature an exceptional lineup of presenters discussing infrastructure topics including:

• Energy: Cassandra Macy will discuss Innergex’s Hale Kuawehi 30 MW solar farm under construction on Parker Ranch land near West Hawai‘i Concrete.
• Energy: Jennifer Zelko-Schlueter and Kevin Waltjen will present information about Hawaiian Electric’s Wildfire Safety Strategy, which includes the Public Safety Power Shutoff program.
• Housing: Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corp. Executive Director Keith Kato will talk about the agency’s planned 43-lot subdivision in the Ouli land division on which self-help homes will be built by owner occupants. The project sits on a 14.3-acre portion of the site donated by Marc and Lynne Benioff for the purpose of developing housing within reach by working families.
• Transportation: Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen will provide an overview of state airports, harbors and highways as well as Waimea-specific projects, with time for questions.

Waimea Community Policing representatives from Hawai‘i Police Department will also provide an update during tonight’s meeting.

The Gathering Place at St. James’ Parish will be the spotlighted nonprofit. Terri Greenwell will introduce the organization’s vision to create a center for nourishment, fellowship and learning that celebrates the Waimea community.

Described as “a dream in the works,” it will convert St. James’ open-air, rusty, dusty but very frequently used pavilion into a large meeting/dining hall with glass doors that open onto the lawn with a full commercial kitchen, restrooms and needed dry and cold storage for the weekly Waimea community meal and other community activities.

Baskets will be passed around following Greenwell’s update to collect donations for the project. You can also contribute online.

As always, the meeting will be streamed live on the Waimea Community Association’s Facebook page and on the association’s YouTube channel. It will also be saved on both for later on-demand viewing.

Questions are welcome, ideally in advance, by to emailing waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com.

For more information about the meeting or the Waimea Community Association, email to the same email address as above or visit the association’s website.

Cutline: HICDC’s planned 43-lot subdivision in the Ouli land division on which self help homes will be built by owner occupants.