Embedded Files
Join us for our next Community Meeting - May 14th
Letter Writing Campaign Tips
Letter Writing Campaign Tips
Try to keep your letter to one page in length.
Use your own words and cover only one issue per letter.
Personalize your message by explaining how the issue impacts you, your family, your business, or your community.
In the first paragraph, ask for the action you want the legislator to take.
Thank the decision-makers for their time and attention.
Ask for a reply! Do this to ensure that your letter is not ignored.
Submit testimony in support of funding for the initial engineering of Waikōloa’s second arterial road
Submit testimony in support of funding for the initial engineering of Waikōloa’s second arterial road
TIME SENSITIVE! In-person testimony on April 8th in Hilo or Waimea. Written testimony must be submitted by noon on April 7th.
Summary:
Summary:
Mayor Alameda submitted a $557 million budget to Council that includes no funding to start the second arterial highway for Waikoloa.
Estimated project cost for a second arterial roadway: $25 million. Village residents are asking the Council to include $2.5 million to complete the engineering needed for the final design and cost estimate and the environmental and cultural resource review. These steps must be completed before funding for construction can be included in future year budgets.
Funding for the arterial road’s design must be included in the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to ensure construction can ever begin. Delaying this step risks prolonging the project and endangering residents.
The current single access point is inadequate for emergencies, as shown during the 2021 fire evacuation. New housing developments will exacerbate traffic congestion, putting residents—especially those in the north—at greater risk during evacuations.
A second arterial access highway is needed to save lives. It is not just a traffic convenience. Immediate action is essential to safeguard residents and ensure timely project completion.
3 Ways to Testify:
3 Ways to Testify:
1. In-Person (Most Impactful!)
WHERE: Hawaiʻi County Building - 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th, 9:00 AM - until all speakers are heard.
Being there in person shows the Council how urgent this is. If you can make it, your presence will send a powerful message!
2. Video Testimony (Waimea Option)
WHERE: Waimea Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8th - 9:00 AM
A setup will be available for you to testify remotely—almost as good as being there in person!
3. Email Testimony (Still Critical!)
Written testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, April 7, 2025, to ensure timely delivery to Council Members before the meeting.
Contact Hawaii Federal Legislators regarding local affects of the Federal grant funding freeze.
Contact Hawaii Federal Legislators regarding local affects of the Federal grant funding freeze.
Summary:
Summary:
WSAW partnered with Hawaiian Electric (HECO) to conduct a Fuel Load Reduction Day to remove hazardous kiawe trees growing under transmission lines—a major fire risk in Waikōloa Village.
On January 28, 2025, DOE issued a memorandum suspending all CBP funding, including the $75,000 set to be allocated for our wildfire mitigation work.
The funding freeze has created serious consequences for our community.
We need immediate clarity and action to ensure that wildfire resilience efforts in Hawaiʻi are not delayed due to political maneuvering.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Office of Senator Mazie Hirono: https://www.hirono.senate.gov/impacted-by-the-federal-funding-freeze-share-your-story-here
Office of Senator Brian Schatz: https://www.schatz.senate.gov/federal-funding-share-your-story
Office of Representative Jill Tokuda: https://tokuda.house.gov/contact/email-me
Letter to Federal Representatives re: HECO/DOE GrantGoogle Sites
Report abuse