The County of Hawai‘i announced additional decisions regarding restoration of infrastructure in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption with the use of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grants.

Decisions and updates are listed below:

• The water system to Kapoho subdivisions inundated during the eruption will not be restored. As a next step, the County will work with communities in Puna to deploy available recovery funds received from FEMA for water infrastructure projects in Puna.

• Use of FEMA funds for restoration of the water line to Isaac Hale Beach Park will be pursued. This depends on feasibility due to geological decisions and FEMA approval. Roads

• FEMA funds will not be used to restore Hinalo and Lauone streets, both inundated by the eruption. Any additional decisions regarding these roads will be based on participation in the VHBP.

• The County is working with FEMA to commence the review of Highway 137 and Lighthouse Road based on final designs of the roads. The County anticipates FEMA requiring an Environmental Assessment for Highway 137 due to the need to design the roadway to safe standards over the new terrain following the eruption.

Updated timelines are anticipated within a month. As previously announced, the County plans to restore inundated sections of upper Pohoiki Road, realign lower Pohoiki Road to provide safe two-way access while preserving historic mango trees, restore Leilani Avenue from Pohoiki Road to Kahukai Street, and restore Highway 137 and Lighthouse Road, with the use of FEMA and State recovery funds. FEMA anticipates starting Environmental Assessments for the Pohoiki Road projects, including potential restoration of water to Isaac Hale Beach Park, in November, with the review taking about six months to complete.

The Environmental Assessments will ensure proper consultation with lineal descendants, and assessment and documentation of historic, archaeological and environmentally sensitive resources, including any impacts and mitigation actions. The eruption damaged about 13 miles of public roads and 14.5 miles of waterlines. As a result of this damage, FEMA approved Public Assistance grants in the amounts of $61.5 million for FEMA-eligible roads and approximately $30 million for water systems. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis, with a 25% County match. Highway 132 was restored in 2019 with $5.75 million from the Federal Highway Administration.