During this political season, the question of the Puna Makai Alternate Route has become an issue.
In a recent political forum, among other venues, state Sen. Russell Ruderman again has misstated the facts as they relate to what is stopping the route from moving forward. His statement, similar to statements made by Rep. Joy San Buenaventura from time to time, is that “the Shipman Estate is the only organization that opposes the proposal.”
The public, particularly in lower Puna, needs to know the truth about this route.
• Hawaiian Paradise Park PMAR committee: On July 30, 2011, after studying the most recent proposal for PMAR, having met repeatedly with county officials, held public meetings in HPP and with other HPP civic groups, and having conducted a survey of residents, wrote to Gov. Neil Abercrombie asking that he defer release of monies for this project. Their concerns were not addressed and their opposition remained. One can only imagine the impact of a road with rights of way of 125 feet running through this subdivision.
• Hawaiian Homes community associations: In November 2011, leaders of the Hawaiian Homes committees on the island wrote a letter to Mayor Billy Kenoi expressing their opposition to PMAR running through their communities resulting in decreased safety and increased crime among other concerns. They expressed their desire that in lieu of PMAR, Highway 130 be widened – as it now is. In 2016, the Panaewa community reviewed its regional plan. Their concerns remain much the same: increased opportunity for theft, no traffic study to mitigate the increased traffic that would occur. They again recognized the immense negative impacts such a thoroughfare would have on their community.
• Hawaii Department of Transportation: The state Department of Transportation in its Long Range (2035) Transportation Plan recognizes the possibility of PMAR. However, the study assigns complete responsibility for the road to the County of Hawaii. The projected (by HDOT) cost of the road in 2011 dollars is $286,536,000 – no doubt $300 million by now.
• W.H. Shipman Ltd.: It is true that in recent years this company has disagreed with the proposed routes for a lower Puna road. The problems of farm product and equipment theft, vandalism and illegal entry faced by farmers throughout the island and throughout the state are serious and in serious need of attention. Building a 7-mile roadway through our property, for instance, creates a new 14-mile theft deterrent problem in an environment where the county is proposing no solutions.
The roadway would, further, break up farms and make internal traffic more difficult. Sen. Ruderman seeks to diminish these concerns by suggesting the road be used for walking and biking primarily and there is little or no risk from such activities. Such an incursion, however, designed also for emergency vehicle use would end up being utilized (legally or not) by ATVs and other equipment widely used by thieves and hunters who are causing major damage.
In short, despite what is being communicated at candidate forums, every community along the proposed route has formally objected to this $300 million project. Shipman does not stand alone in having issues with the proposal.
Further, Shipman has provided a number of solutions using our properties to address growing traffic problems in lower Puna. Those include, building frontage roads separate from Highway 130 but next to it between Shower Road in HPP and Keaau. Further, the county working with council members from this district and the Puna Action Committee has come up with excellent plans that would improve the already existing alternative routes to lower Puna mauka of Highway 130.
For the past 130 years, W.H. Shipman Ltd. has worked closely with the community to provide infrastructure and solutions to current and coming problems. That work is best done through collaboration and focus on common goals. Our commitment has not changed – it is a commitment to the entire community which includes our neighbors in HPP, the Hawaiian Community and farmers throughout this area.
Bill Walter is president of W.H. Shipman Ltd. in Keaau.
