HILO, Hawaii — Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth announced he will establish a Mayor’s Advisory Committee to address the ongoing controversy over the road into Waipio Valley. He is seeking community members for the 13-member committee that will include four additional representatives from the county.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Mitch Roth will establish a Mayor’s Advisory Committee to address community concerns while finding potential solutions related to Waipio Valley road safety and access

  • Community members will serve on a volunteer basis and are asked to apply to fill 13 seats

  • Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Dec. 9

The goal is to facilitate communication between the community and the county and address community concerns while finding potential solutions related to road safety and access to the roadway during the emergency period, according to a county news release.

“With safety as the guiding consideration, our goal is to move forward in a way that respectfully engages the various stakeholders and seeks meaningful agreement amongst the engaged parties,” said Mayor Roth in a news release.

“There is undoubtedly a lot of aloha for the valley, and we need to find a balance that respects that aloha while ensuring the safety of those who traverse the roadway,” Roth added. “We realize that short-term access to the county roadway is not a long-term solution for valley access, but we do hope to contribute to the efforts of the long-term management steering committee.”

Councilwoman Heather Kimball, a member of the long-term steering committee, said, “These two efforts should weave together well and provide for both a forum to respond to the immediate situation and pathway to communicate with the efforts to develop long-term plans.”

The advisory committee will consist of two representatives each from the farming, ocean and tourism communities, and one each from Waipio kupuna, Waipio lineal descendant, Kamehameha Schools, Bishop Museum, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, plus one cultural practitioner and one student from the area.

The four county representatives will come from the office of the mayor, Department of Public Works, corporation counsel and county council.

On Feb. 25, Mayor Roth issued an emergency proclamation closing the only road into Waipio Valley because of safety concerns over the road’s hazardous conditions and the threat of falling rocks and landslides.

The closure surprised many and cut off access to surfers and fishers who frequently visited the Waipio Valley shoreline, according to an article by Spectrum News partner, the Honolulu Star Advertiser. They formed the group Malama i ke Kai ‘o Waipi‘o and sued the county.

The dispute led to mediation and an amendment to the emergency rules. The road partially reopened in September to specific parties — Hawaii Island residents, cultural practitioners, and tour companies with permits in covered four-wheel-drive vehicles. It doesn’t allow for pedestrians, horse riders and uncovered vehicles.

Upon the partial reopening, Protect Waipio Valley, a group of Waipio Valley kupuna and community members, set up at the lookout urging visitors to not enter the valley.

Committee members will serve in a volunteer capacity. Interested community members are asked to contact County of Hawaii Public Information Officer Cyrus Johnasen at cyrus.johnasen@hawaiicounty.gov for information and to apply. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Dec. 9.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.