New Ad Hoc Committee Will Focus on Puna Road Connectivity

A new ad hoc committee will tackle road connectivity in Puna.

The County Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation discussed the finalization of the committee during an 11 a.m. meeting Tuesday in Kona.

Hawai’i County residents weighed in on the issue, saying that last year’s natural disasters in the Puna District were good reminders of the urgent need for the committee.  Testifiers also referenced the area’s growing population as a factor, as well.

Ilagan, who introduced the topic for discussion, said the committee would bring them one step closer to solving some of the area’s roadway issues.

“We’re not recreating the wheel. We’re using existing priorities and will be concentrating those efforts to make those efforts happen,” he said.

The committee will discuss data collected from the Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee from the Puna Regional Emergency Preparedness Fairs, and also data collected from meetings with Puna community groups.

The ad hoc committee will also study the prioritized connectivity locations for viability and will work to implement the connections.

The group will consist of council members from Districts 3,4,5 and 6 and the chair of the Puna Community Development plan Action Committee and the chair of the CER Subcommittee, Marlene Hapai.

Ilagan said they anticipate to meet regularly with stakeholders, including the county Department of Public Works, the Department of Finance and various associations and members of the public.