Key Updates from DPW on Waikōloa Village Infrastructure
In our continued effort to keep the community informed, the Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikoloa (WSAW) was honored to host Neil Azavedo, the Acting Director of the Hawaii County Department of Public Works (DPW), at our October meeting. Director Azavedo provided crucial, on-the-ground updates about the roads and infrastructure critical to our safety and daily lives.
Acting Director Neil Azevedo, County of Hawaiʻi Public Works Department
Here are the key takeaways from our discussion.
1. Immediate Relief Coming to a Key Intersection
The most imminent good news is that temporary traffic signals are finally coming to the problematic intersection at Waikōloa Road and Paniolo Avenue!
Action: DPW will begin trenching for the electrical lines as early as Monday, October 13th.
Goal: Director Azavedo expressed his commitment to having these temporary lights operational as a "present for the community" by the end of 2025, acknowledging that residents "have waited long enough."
Safety During Work: The project will include traffic control measures, including security guards and HPD presence, to manage traffic flow and ensure worker safety during construction.
2. Enhancements to the Hulu Emergency Route
The Hulu emergency access road remains a vital component of our evacuation planning. Director Azavedo confirmed several improvements and acknowledged areas for further work:
New Pull-Outs: Multiple vehicle pull-outs have been added along the route, approximately every half-mile, to allow for broken-down vehicles to clear the single-lane path.
Addressing Nighttime & Low-Visibility Dangers: In response to community concerns about evacuating in the dark or smoky conditions, Director Azavedo agreed to look into installing reflective markers or flexible reflectors, particularly on the sharp curves where the risk of going off the road is highest.
Ongoing Maintenance: Mowing and vegetation control along the route are conducted on a monthly basis to keep it clear. Acting Director requested the community reach out to his department immediately if they have concerns about the condition of the Hulu St. evacuation route, particularly after heavy rains, where the road could get damaged.
3. The Complex Puzzle of the Second Access Road
The conversation confirmed that progress is being made on a permanent second access road, but it involves multiple overlapping projects and jurisdictions.
Housing Development Roads: The roads within the new Kamakoa Nui and Nana Kai housing developments are moving forward, which will form a part of the future network.
The Critical "Missing Middle": A significant question remains about the connector section that links the new northern housing developments to the wastewater treatment plant. This portion is a County responsibility, and while it is a topic of active discussion, a definitive plan and funding source are not yet confirmed. WSAW will continue to advocate for clarity and action on this essential link.
4. A New, Proactive Approach from DPW
A recurring theme from Director Azavedo was his commitment to a more responsive and data-driven approach. He showcased a new digital system that allows DPW crews to document issues with photos, exact GPS locations, and timestamps, creating a powerful database to prioritize and track repairs across the entire island.
He encouraged residents to report road issues directly to him to ensure they are logged and addressed.
Our Gratitude and Continued Advocacy
We extend our sincere mahalo to Director Azavedo for his transparency, his clear commitment to our community's safety, and his time in answering our questions directly.
This meeting underscores the importance of sustained dialogue between our community and county leadership. The road to a fully resilient Waikoloa is being paved, one project at a time. We will continue to monitor this progress closely and advocate for the urgent completion of all components of our evacuation and safety infrastructure.
For a complete picture of all the discussions, including detailed conversations about specific streets, drainage, and the county's new digital work order system, we encourage you to watch the full recording of the meeting on our YouTube channel.
Watch the Full October Meeting Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmOvgWM5fTk
