Media release | Rob Tucker, Friends of Puna’s Future

Friends of Puna’s Future (FoPF) spent last year working with Dominic Yagong on a proposal to make a portion of the transportation fund available to private subdivisions. The proposal to county council (Reso 321-10) was handled by Councilman Dominic Yagong and was approved by council last year. It is now at the state legislature.

Representative Faye Hanohano has submitted House Bill 1626 to amend the state fuel tax statutes to allow a fuel tax grant in aid program for the Big island.

You may read the bill here:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1626

This is IMPORTANT stuff. If successful this may be the first real structural change in the way Puna has been treated in fifty years.

Everyone who reads this should email support for HB 1626 right now! Email to:

reps@capitol.hawaii.gov

Subject line: Support for HB 1626

Possible statements:

A. 750 miles of private Big Island roads generate fuel tax and desperately need assistance. Ambulances are often unable to reach people in need. Please support HB 1626

B. The Big Island has a unique problem and needs your vote in favor of HB 1626 to help solve it. Taxes are paid. 750 miles of private roads are in need of maintenance.

C. Please support HB 1626. The Big Island really needs this solution to a Big ISland problem.

Talk to your friends and neighbors. Our roads need and deserve access to our tax money to maintain and improve them. It is your money. These are your roads.

Mahalo to Faaye Hanohano, Dominic Yagong and our council for moving this forward.

This is long over due! Please send testimony now.