Puna town hall to gather input for upcoming legislative session, possible alternate route

State Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura, Rep. Jeanne Kapela and Hawaiʻi County councilmember Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder will host a townhall on Oct. 9 at Mountain View Elementary.

Legislators will discuss last session’s highlights and ask for public input for the next session, including a possible upper Puna alternate route.

Highway 130 is the only major road in or out of Lower Puna. The state has added lanes to portions of the highway, but traffic often backs up for miles in the mornings and afternoons. 

In March, the Hawai‘i County Council approved a measure that provides $2 million for the Department of Public Works to complete a Puna Alternate Routes Study.

Dinner will be provided for the townhall, which runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the elementary school at 18-1235 Volcano Road.

Attendees are invited to register at: https://bit.ly/keaautownhall.