Measure would fund survey of sites for Puna Makai Alternate Route

State Rep. Greggor Ilagan has introduced a bill that, if passed, would order and fund site surveys to identify the most suitable location for an alternate road to lower Puna makai of Highway 130.

“At the town halls I conducted last month, the issue my constituents identified more than any other is the need for PMAR,” Ilagan said Friday, referring to a long-proposed Puna Makai Alternate Route.

House Bill 1403 passed its first floor reading on Jan. 19 and was referred to the House Transportation and Finance committees. As of Monday, it hadn’t been scheduled for a hearing. However, Ilagan, the vice chairman of the Transportation Committee, said he expects the bill to be heard by the committee, perhaps as early as this week.

According to the measure, it’s projected that Puna will grow by 42,000 residents, almost doubling its current population by 2035. In addition, the bill notes Hilo as the primary employment area in the region, with more than 40% of the area’s jobs.

“As a result, average traffic volumes near Hilo on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) peak at approximately 22,200 vehicles per day in each direction,” the bill states. “… The Legislature finds that Highway 130 is the primary arterial on only access route into the southeastern portion of the Puna area. The Legislature further finds that because of this limited road access, the residents of Puna experience severe traffic congestion, which impact that quality of life of the Puna residents and may also result in fatal delays of emergency services.”

The bill said any state or county lands “may be considered in determining where to conduct site surveys.” Private lands “may be considered and site surveys may be conducted pursuant to agreements with landowners.”

Routes being considered include Railroad Avenue between Panaewa and Keaau. That would almost certainly include property owned by private landowner W.H. Shipman Ltd., which has opposed such a road through its property.