Throughout his 45-minute 2023 State of the County address Monday, attended by dignitaries including Hawai‘i County Council Chairwoman Heather Kimball and several Council members, Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami, representatives of Maui County and Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, Hawai‘i Mayor Mitch Roth touched on several issues and topics, including affordable housing, homelessness, infrastructure, public transportation, economic development and public safety, among others.
The Puna district is one of the fastest-growing parts of Hawaiʻi Island and it’s also facing serious traffic congestion. For decades, Puna residents commuting to and from the city center of Hilo more than 10 miles away have had only one choice – Highway 130, also known as the Keaʻau Pāhoa Road.