County needs to work with Palamanui developers
The developer of the Palamanui project, which is home to the future Hawaii Community College — Palamanui, is again asking for concessions from Hawaii County. This time they’re asking for a time extension to construct the University Drive extension between the college campus and Queen Kaahumanu Highway. In addition, they’re asking for relief from constructing a new mauka -makai roadway between the college and Mamalahoa Highway.
The developers of this project have spent more than $20 million on infrastructure improvements for their project and the new college campus. I firmly believe they’ve gone above and beyond with their investment back into the community. This is why I believe the county, the developer and the community need to work together to find a mutually agreeable solution to this issue. It would be a real loss for the community if Palamanui’s hand is forced and the developers have to suspend their project. Everyone would lose in this scenario.
Palamanui has offered to contribute $3 million to start work on the next segment of the Ane Keohokalole Highway in lieu of construction of the new mauka-makai connector. The county could expedite the design and obtain the environmental clearances for this highway segment as a result.
I firmly believe extending Ane Keohokalole Highway will help with regional traffic circulation more than extending University Drive between Mamalahoa Highway and the college campus.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Beach cleanup appreciated
Mahalo to the cleanup crew at Magic Sand’s Beach. I don’t know how many days all of the people worked at the beach across the street from my home, but it was many and I appreciate all of your hard work so very much. It looks so much more beautiful and there’s a lot more access for everyone.
J. Duncan
Kailua-Kona