Committee closes file after update on stalled Puna alternate-route study

HILO — The Hawaii County Council’s Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee on March 6 received an update on the long‑running Puna Alternate Route Study and voted to close Communication 156 after county public works officials said they will fast‑track a consultant contract and provide regular status reports.

The study, intended to identify alternate entry and exit routes for the Lower Puna region, has been delayed despite a county appropriation. Committee Chair Michelle Galimba presided over the meeting at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo; Council Member Ashley L. Kirkowitz moved to close the file and Council Member Eustace seconded. The motion passed with eight in favor and one council member excused.

Kirkowitz, who brought the communication forward, said the effort began when a bill was proposed to provide matching county funding to access state dollars for an alternate‑routes plan focused on Lower Puna, makai of Highway 130. She said an original version that would have considered makai routes died after public opposition to routing through Hawaiian homelands, and that the council later adopted language — in a January 2024 resolution, she said — to exclude any routes through homestead communities and require community engagement. Kirkowitz said the appropriation of county funds was approved in February 2024.

“The homestead communities have carried the burden of so much of our public infrastructure. It’s absolutely not fair to ask them to sacrifice anymore,” Kirkowitz said.

A public testifier, Pat Kahawai Ola, urged continued attention to the involvement of Native Hawaiian homestead communities and thanked the council for the opportunity to comment.

County public works officials told the committee the study has a consultant proposal but the contract has not yet been signed. Director Ono of the Department of Public Works said it was “unforgivable to let funds lapse” and that the department will "fast track that consultant contract." Keoni Thompson, engineering division chief, said, “we have been working with a consultant. We have a proposal. We have not executed a contract just yet.” Thompson identified Melanie Dimelo, deputy division chief, as the lead county contact working with the consultant.

Kelsey Kalua Lewis, business manager for public works, said the county’s $1,000,000 appropriation is “ready to go” but cautioned that the proposal from the consultant exceeds that amount and any increase would require an additional appropriation. Committee members discussed using the existing $1,000,000 to begin work and amending the contract later if state matching funds arrive.

Officials described internal changes and a transition to a new administration as factors that contributed to delay. Director Ono and staff said they will develop and use a standing project status report and a management tool to track incoming partner funds so projects are less likely to lapse during administrative transitions. Ono told the committee the status report will be updated monthly and that staff will work with the council on outreach once the contract is executed.

Committee discussion emphasized two recurring points: (1) the council and staff must ensure community engagement, particularly to avoid routing through Hawaiian homelands, and (2) the county needs better project and funding tracking so available funds are not lost. Kirkowitz asked that staff provide timeline estimates and outreach plans once the consultant contract is finalized so the Puna community can participate in public meetings and reviews.

The committee’s formal action on the item was administrative: a motion to close the file on Communication 156 was moved by Council Member Ashley L. Kirkowitz, seconded by Council Member Eustace, and approved by an 8‑0 vote with one member excused. No ordinance, appropriation increase, or final route decision was adopted at the meeting; staff committed to fast‑tracking the contract and reporting back to the council.