On Friday, Hawai‘i County will hold a public session from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Waikoloa Village Association Golf Banquet Room, showing how the community might evacuate during a wildfire or other disaster and inviting residents to provide input on known traffic choke points.
County Shifts HUD Funds To The Study
The county’s CDBG‑MIT amendment redirects $420,000 of HUD mitigation funding to the Waikoloa evacuation study, which officials expect to complete by May 2026, according to Hawai‘i Public Radio. The Action Plan amendment also outlines the study’s scope, budget, tasks, and deliverables.
Scope And Consultant
Hawai‘i County Civil Defense has hired KLD Associates to analyze Waikoloa Village’s street network, including Waikoloa Road and the one‑lane Hulu Street emergency route, and model how population growth may impact evacuations, according to Big Island Video News. The project will include traffic modeling, community surveys, and a final report with recommendations for infrastructure and preparedness. Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno urges residents to attend the launch meeting so local concerns are considered.
Why Residents Are Worried
The push for this study goes back to the 2022 Mana Road wildfire, when thousands were ordered to evacuate and many residents reported gridlock and long delays on Waikoloa’s narrow exits. Hawaii News Now documented the county’s follow‑up Hulu Street evacuation drills, designed so people can practice using the one‑lane bypass before the next emergency. Even so, local advocates and residents have kept repeating the same bottom line to officials: they want a true second access road, not just gated or temporary emergency connections.
How To Take Part
The public launch meeting is set for this Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Waikoloa Village Association Golf Banquet Room. Those who cannot make it in person can track local coverage and review county planning materials. KITV has aired a short field report on the meeting and the safety concerns residents are raising, and Big Island Video News is sharing the county’s event flyer and logistics.
What Comes After The Report
After the study concludes, the county will hold follow-up public meetings as the consultant delivers recommendations. These could include improved signage, regular drills, or roadway upgrades outlined in the Action Plan amendment. Residents say they will watch closely to see if the report leads to real funding and construction, rather than becoming another study on the shelf.
