Council amends capital improvement program; adds funding for Waikoloa road study, pool repairs and Puako sewer planning

The Hawaii County Council on May 22 amended Bill 32, the county's capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal 2025'26, and adopted the measure on first reading with several member-proposed additions.

The amended capital budget (Bill 32 Draft 2 as amended) increases total appropriation and adds specific community projects. The administration's draft listed 84 projects and identified proposed funding sources including bonds, federal and state grants and other funds. During the council session members moved and the council adopted multiple amendments to add or reappropriate funds for projects identified by community members and council districts.

Why it matters: The capital improvement budget sets the county's planned multi-year capital spending. The council approved money to begin engineering and environmental work on alternate emergency access in Waikoloa Village after extensive public testimony from Waikoloa residents who said a second road is needed to reduce wildfire evacuation risks. The council also reallocated lapsed CIP funds for park improvements and pool repairs in Kohala and for a pilot revolving fund to support community-led cesspool closures in Puako.

Waikoloa second road and Paniola widening: Council member James Eustace introduced an amendment to add $2.5 million for the Waikoloa Arterial (Kamakoa Drive) to fund engineering, design and environmental review. Dozens of residents from Waikoloa testified in support, describing repeated evacuations and urging the council to begin county-led work on a second arterial. Aslan Chalker, identified in testimony as a longtime Waikoloa Village resident, told the council, "Please pass this amendment and give the Waikoloa community enough hope to allow us to take a deep breath." Planning Director Jeff Darrow said portions of the alignment and prior planned-unit-development conditions exist; the developer and other stakeholders have discussed options but a county-funded step could accelerate studies and permit work. The council adopted the $2.5 million amendment after debate.

Council member Eustace also successfully moved a complementary amendment to add $5,000,000 for Paniola Avenue widening in the same general area; the amendment sponsor said the work would match existing roadway capacity and address localized flood and safety hazards.

Parks and pool reappropriations: The council reappropriated $5 million for Kohala Swimming Pool repairs, a project parks staff said includes pump and water-line work and will include ADA improvements. The council also reappropriated $5 million for Spencer Kalani Shuru District Park improvements and expansion; parks officials said a nonprofit partner has completed design work and the reappropriated funds will preserve the county's ability to move the work forward.

Puako sewer planning and community revolving fund: Council members approved a $1 million appropriation to support design and planning for sewer improvements and to seed the development of a county-level revolving fund for community-initiated cesspool closures in Puako and other at-risk coastal communities. Testifier Barbara Bell, speaking for Puako for Reefs, said the group seeks a revolving fund to finance cesspool closure and a low-pressure sewer line recommended in the county's regional wastewater master plan prepared by AECOM. Acting wastewater division chief Chris Garber said ownership and long-term operation of any collection lines would be worked out in the project development process; at present the area relies largely on on-site disposal systems.

Council action and votes at a glance: After amending Bill 32 draft 2 with the amendments described above, the council approved Bill 32 on first reading. The clerk recorded the final vote as 7 ayes with two council members excused. The record for several individual amendments showed the motions carried and were adopted; specific roll-call tallies were recorded on the floor for some but not all amendments.

What the council asked of administration: Planning, public works and the wastewater and parks departments were asked to work with council members and community groups on the design, permitting and funding strategies for the newly added projects. Planning Director Jeff Darrow and acting wastewater chief Chris Garber answered technical questions about developer responsibilities, community facilities districts and how county-owned collection lines might be sited and operated.

Ending: The amendments mark a significant step toward addressing local infrastructure and public safety priorities raised by residents in Waikoloa Village, coastal Puako and other districts. Bill 32 as amended passed on first reading; the council will take additional action at the scheduled second reading on June 5, 2025.