Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, September 1, 2019

JURISDICTION OVER MAUNAKEA ACCESS ROAD BELONGS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, according to an official statement from the Department of the Attorney General, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and DOT. DOT "has control and jurisdiction over all state highways and Mauna Kea Access Road is designated to DOT's State Highway System as Route 210. This includes any portions of the road that cross over DHHL land," according to the statement.
     Since July, DOT has restricted access on Mauna Kea Access Roadto "preserve public health and safety," according to the statement.

     Said DOT Deputy Director Ed Sniffen, "State DOT has controlled and maintained Mauna Kea Access Road since it became part of our highways system in 2018. Prior to that time, sections of the road situated on Hawaiian Home Lands were maintained by the County of Hawai‘i pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement between DHHL and the County of Hawai‘i."
     Beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 "do not own Mauna Kea Access Road," according to the statement. "Act 14 (1995) resolved all claims concerning the use of Hawaiian home lands for public roads and highways built before and after statehood.
     "In response to concerns that some compensation remains outstanding, DHHL and the Department of Land and Natural Resources have been working together to evaluate the terms of compensation and to confirm that it has been made in full. This process, however, does not alter the fact that all claims regarding use of roads and highways crossing DHHL lands have been resolved."
     Said Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair William J. Aila Jr., "Act 14 was a historic piece of legislation. It resolved long-standing claims associated with the use of Hawaiian Home Lands. We remain committed to seeing the completion of the few remaining items under Act 14, including ensuring that compensation for the use of roads and highways crossing DHHL lands has been received in full."

Minako Yamazaki, of Tokyo and Pāhala; Iwao Yonemitsu, of Nā‘ālehu; and an attendee of the Bon Dance. Photo by Julia Neal

     Attorney General Clare E. Connors said, "The State is reviewing the compensation issues related to the use of Hawaiian home lands for public roads and highways, and will ensure they have been addressed. The public is reminded that Mauna Kea Access Road is a public road controlled by DOT and that the current blockade is unlawful."

Taiko drums accompanied the Bon Dance. Photo by Julia Neal

     DOT also released a statement on Friday, reminding the public that road shoulders "are primarily
designed to provide for emergency storage of disabled vehicles, not to accommodate long term parking. HDOT does not permit long-term parking along any of its high-speed facilities."

     DOT's "safety and security measures" in place at the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Saddle Road, and Maunakea Access Road are temporary traffic signals and barriers at the intersection, installed in late July, and 80 "No parking, stopping, standing, loading and unloading" signs, installed in late August.
     The DOT release states that parking "is available in areas outside of HDOT jurisdiction and away from the highway. Information regarding the applicable statue can be found at the following link." The state also warned that "those interfering with the installed safety features may be subject to criminal property damage charges."

FLIGHT OPERATIONS for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for September schedule is as follows:

Keiki from all faiths enjoyed stamping headscarves at Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji. Photo by Julia Neal

     Sept. 3, 6 a.m to 8 a.m, ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku Unit, between 4,000 ft. and 6,000 ft. elevation. 

     Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to noon, invasive Guineagrass surveys and control along Keauhou Trail, from the coast to 2,000 ft. elevation.

     Sept. 9, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.,  shuttle supplies to control banana poka in the Keauhou burn area on Mauna Loa Strip between 5,000 ft. and 6,000 ft. elevation.

     Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to noon, survey Kipukapuaulu for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.

     Sept. 12, noon to 2 p.m., survey invasive fountain grass in Great Crack/Keaīwa sector.