(ABOVE VIDEO) The Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit discusses different ideas for access in and out of Puna if lava crosses Highway 130. Video by David Corrigan (Sept. 30)

NEWS BRIEFS

• Hawaii Island real estate appraiser Michael Garbarino told the Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit that road access is a fundamental aspect affecting the value of a property. He estimates the value of all properties that could end up on the “other side” of the lava flow in Puna to be half a billion dollars. For that reason, he asked the council on Tuesday why there has been silence on what he called “the best, most viable plan” of building a bridge.
• Darryl Oliveira said the county is trying to refine its request for technical expertise and assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He said breaching Highway 130 and allowing the flow to take its natural course may allow the county to bridge the gap later.
• Oliveira also commented on other proposed emergency access routes – aside from Railroad Avenue, Government Beach Road and Chain of Craters. Oliveira said an idea to utilize a former road from Black Sands Subdivision to Volcano is not very feasible as it would have to cross the active lava flow.
• Oliveira said the county is also asking the Army Corps for a preliminary assessment on expanding the capacity at Pohoiki Boat Ramp.
• The county is also on the lookout for unused airstrips in the lower Puna area that might be put to use down the line.