02-02-2022, 06:49 AM
The subject of the PMAR comes up every few years, usually during an election cycle.
HOTPE - If memory serves, the Beach Road option is in a tsunami evacuation zone which makes it ineligible for any federal funding. This makes the $ for any road even more out of reach. It also makes this option not practical for evacuation purposes if there is need during either tsunami or hurricane / high seas situations.
From my perspective, the Railroad Ave option is best. If proposed and built decades ago, it would have worked, but now would probably be screamed down by neighborhood opposition.
Why it would have worked: a ) the portion of RR Ave between Maku'u and Pahoa was opened during the 2014 eruption, and was a good safety valve if the main Kea'au / Pahoa Rd. had been cut off; b) anyone buying property on a street named 'Railroad Ave' should have had a clue that it was once ( and could be again ) a significant transportation route; and c) the Shipman portion of RR Ave can be acquired through eminent domain if / when there is the political will.
Puna has historically had a dismal voter turnout, and the PMAR will only be planned / built when politicians cannot ignore the growing Puna population. I'm not holding my breath.
HOTPE - If memory serves, the Beach Road option is in a tsunami evacuation zone which makes it ineligible for any federal funding. This makes the $ for any road even more out of reach. It also makes this option not practical for evacuation purposes if there is need during either tsunami or hurricane / high seas situations.
From my perspective, the Railroad Ave option is best. If proposed and built decades ago, it would have worked, but now would probably be screamed down by neighborhood opposition.
Why it would have worked: a ) the portion of RR Ave between Maku'u and Pahoa was opened during the 2014 eruption, and was a good safety valve if the main Kea'au / Pahoa Rd. had been cut off; b) anyone buying property on a street named 'Railroad Ave' should have had a clue that it was once ( and could be again ) a significant transportation route; and c) the Shipman portion of RR Ave can be acquired through eminent domain if / when there is the political will.
Puna has historically had a dismal voter turnout, and the PMAR will only be planned / built when politicians cannot ignore the growing Puna population. I'm not holding my breath.