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Hawaii County public hearing on 2025–26 budgets hears calls for Waikoloa arterial and Puna connectivity funding
Summary
At a public hearing on Bill 31 (operating) and Bill 32 (CIP) for fiscal 2025–26, two residents urged the council to amend the capital budget to fund engineering for a second Waikoloa arterial and to add $230,000 for inter‑subdivision connectivity and a police/fire facility in Puna.
A public hearing on Hawaii County’s proposed fiscal 2025–26 operating budget (Bill 31, draft 2) and capital improvement budget (Bill 32, draft 2) drew two testifiers who urged specific budget amendments to address evacuation routes and connectivity.
Jennifer (last name not specified), a Waikoloa Village resident and homeowner of 20 years, asked the council to support an amendment to Bill 32, draft 2, to fund initial engineering for a second arterial road in Waikoloa. Jennifer said the request stemmed from evacuation experience on Aug. 1, 2021, when she said it took about 60 minutes to travel roughly two miles from Molina Street to Waikoloa Road during a reverse evacuation. She also referenced House Bill 1001 and a figure of $807,500,000, and said in testimony, “Please cast your vote to begin funding the second road as if your lives depend on it.”
Stephanie Bath, a resident of Kurtistown and District 5 for 44 years, urged the council to include $230,000 in the budget for inter‑subdivision connectivity and said she supports siting a police and fire station near Kurtistown in Mountain View. Bath told the council that Upper Puna has waited for connectivity improvements for years and described scenarios — including lava flow and a simultaneous earthquake — in which additional connections would aid evacuations. She said Puna received an influx of residents from Lower Puna following the Leilani eruption and that resiliency funds were not, to her knowledge, previously directed to the area. Bath asked the council to review her written testimony submitted the prior evening.
No votes or council actions occurred during the public hearing; the hearing was held pursuant to section 10‑4 of the Hawaii County Charter and was limited to receiving testimony. Council staff and the meeting chair reminded the public that budget discussion, amendment opportunities and the first reading would occur at the council meeting on Thursday, May 22, starting at 9 a.m. in Hilo Chambers.
The public hearing record includes the specific requests: an amendment to Bill 32 to fund engineering for a Waikoloa second arterial, and a request to allocate $230,000 for inter‑subdivision connectivity benefiting Kaʻū, Lower Puna and Upper Puna as well as support for a police/fire facility in the Kurtistown/Mountain View area. The council has not taken formal action on those requests during the hearing; any changes would require council consideration during the upcoming budget sessions.
Minor details from testimony: Jennifer characterized the evacuation delay and cited House Bill 1001 and an associated monetary figure; Bath cited 17 years of advocacy for connectivity in Upper Puna and asked the council to read her submitted written testimony. The public hearing was closed and the council proceeded to other committee business.
