Infrastructure improvements

[punalvr]

Thanks for the info! I am just figuring out the routes!! Hope it does not come down to this... Mahalo!

punalvr

[macuu222]

I don't agree with the eminent domain scenario. "If" the lava crosses HWY 130 north of Pahoa... and they open Beach Road from Hawaiian Beaches to HPP. The traffic situation into HPP would be extreme. And if someone gets killed because of it...working out the details after the fact in my book won't cut it.

[leilaniguy]

So people who are cut off can go to hell?

[Hawaii Bound]

It's eminent domain so it doesn't really matter who agrees with it.

Based on an earlier post, Macuu222 is OK with the traffic if you pay $2 for access.

[rocketman]

I'd pay 2 bucks to drive on their private road if I had to. Maybe I could buy a season pass.

[eigoya]

After looking at the map (always a problem) I tried to ride a bike down railroad from Macuu/18th to HB and it ended pretty quickly in 6+foot high weeds and impassable foliage. I had been down Beach to Hawaiian Beaches, so was prepared for a 4wd+ slog on a mountai bike but not a machete or slash and burn. How is it going towards Keaau?

[Punaperson]

leilaniguy : " So people who are cut off can go to hell? "


No, that's not what anyone is saying. What is being said is that people have to take responsibility for their own decisions.

It's always a matter of perspective.

One interesting perspective is the difference between peoples' reactions to Iselle vs the lava flow.

Iselle was unexpected, given the history of the Big Island for the last 100+ years. And most people reacted by showing their best, taking care of one another - neighbor, ohana, or stranger.

Lava covering towns and subdivisions is recent history here in Puna. There are many who remember driving down to watch the lava fountains dance while Kapoho town died. Many more who watched Royal Gardens become a ghost subdivision, and grieved with the people of Kalapana while they being displaced. why did you chose to live here? This is what can happen, and does, when you call Puna home. We all make a deliberate decision to live in harm's way, and hope for the best. Very human nature. Not necessarily the best choice when you choose Zone 1 or 2 on the side of the most active volcano on the planet.

If the government people wait until they have a solid idea of when/where Hwy 130 is cut, and only then start bringing in the bulldozers to open the appropriate alternate road, and that means you're stuck for a couple of days, I'd still say they were making the right fiduciary decision. Being personally inconvenienced because the alternate exit route doesn't yet exist, or it turns out the best choice may be Chain of Craters and it's a longer drive for you, is not a good argument. Ask the people who live in Waianae on Oahu about wanting an alternate exit route around Keana Point. 30+ years and waiting.

Some route will be opened. You will not be abandoned. But you may need to abandon the the concept of 'owning a piece of land'. Puna belongs to Pele.




Post script ( or I'll be over my 5 / day ) : A few days ago, I wondered if anyone else remembered/saw the ' Get'em while they're HOT ' realtor signs that were in Royal Gardens even as the lava was flowing. Quite a few remembered - does anyone have an old photograph they'd be willing to share ? Thanks in advance

[leilaniguy]

Well, thats not what it sounded like to me from macuu222. It sounds more like "stay off my G.D. lawn" to me. As far as owning land, Pele took Kalapana Gardens, but people moved back as they always will, because the desire to live here outweighs the risk. PS I don't remember the RE signs for Royal Gardens, but I do remember the Trib. classifieds advertising "Hot Deals in Kalapana Gardens while they last".

[Amrita]

Just affirming my opinion:
Beach Road from Hawaiian Beaches/Shores is the only alternative that makes sense and then absolutely need the traffic light at Shower/Pohaku Drive. It would be a burden indeed for HPP but their turn may come to need help too one day if the lava flows continue. Charge $1 per car, $3 for non-kama aina, the county could set up a toll booth and use that for road improvement once the cost of improving Beach road is met, then improve thru Wa Wa. It would not have to be paved initially just dozed and improved. NIMBY lets face it. We all live on Kilauea and you chose your home site so we gotta have aloha for our neighbors.

[snorkle]

Maku'u222 says; "
I'm for a $2.00 toll booth on beech(sic) road as it enters HPP roads.
_________________________________________________________________
snorkle asks;
Would say, an Ambulance or Fire Truck, a County service that others largely pay for, have to stop and pay a toll when entering HPP?