HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR043019MayorsignseighthsupplementaryemergencyproclamationamendsruleandorderregardingTVRoperationsF� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 30, 2019
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
Tel (808) 241-4900
Fax (808) 241-6877
Mayor signs eighth supplementary emergency proclamation, amends rule
and order regarding TVR operations
LIHUE — Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami has signed an eighth supplementary emergency
proclamation for the County of Kauai, and has amended the emergency rule and order (Rule
#1) as it applies to legal Transient Vacation Rentals (TVR) in the Lumaha`i, Wainiha, and
Ha`ena area.
On Monday, Mayor Kawakami joined state Department of Transportation (DOT) officials
and representatives from the Federal Highways Administration on a site visit to the Wainiha
area. After careful consideration and assessment of the current highway repairs, state officials
determined that the highway would not be reopening to the full public on May 1. Therefore, state
DOT officials announced Tuesday that the reopening of Kuhio Highway is now anticipated for
the week of May 20, 2019.
Following this announcement, and based on the community's request for a soft opening
of the restricted area, the County has decided to allow legal TVRs to operate starting May 1.
"I would like to thank Governor Ige and our state and federal officials for taking all
concerns into consideration as we work toward a full reopening of the highway," said Mayor
Kawakami. "As of May 1, we will allow legal TVRs to operate with the understanding that all
parks and beaches in H5'ena remain closed and off limits. We will continue to work with our
government partners and the community during this time of transition."
The County will be working with permitted TVR owners to ensure that their guests
receive temporary vehicle placards into the Wainiha area, and further reminds all residents and
visitors of the restrictions that remain in place.
Until the highway reopens during the week of May 20, access into the Lumaha`i-
Wainiha-H5'ena area will continue to be limited to the following persons, agencies, and
organizations:
1. Residents (no visitors); provided that visitors who have verified reservations with a
vacation rental holding a valid non -conforming use certificate may access the area;
2. County/state/federal governmental employees and verified governmental
contractors;
3. Employees and volunteers for the following types of non -governmental
organizations:
a. Utility providers;
b. Recognized humanitarian/disaster response and recovery entities;
c. Insurance industry - Serving verified residents/property owners;
d. Residential or infrastructure construction/repair contractors — Serving verified
residents/property owners;
e. Area businesses and non -profits engaged by County/State/Federal
government in response/recovery operations; and
f. Other NGO entities, as approved or requested by the County of Kaua'i, State
of Hawaii or the federal government.
4. Vehicles with a GVWR of 8 tons (16,000 lbs.) and under, with Hawaii Department of
Transportation -authorized exceptions for appropriate emergency response vehicles.
The public is warned that any person violating this emergency rule and order shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the person(s) shall be fined not more than $5,000, or
imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
A copy of this rule, along with the eighth supplementary emergency proclamation and
previous emergency proclamations are available by visiting the County of Kaua`i's online "April
2018 Flood Recovery" page at, www.kauai.gov.