Yesterday Mayor Mitch Roth signed Mayor’s Waipiʻo Valley Road Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No.1 which create more access for residents.
The rules, which do not go into effect until Monday, September 19, allow all Hawaiʻi Island residents, county-permitted tour company operators, and those seeking to practice their Native Hawaiian traditional and/or customary rights, to access the Waipiʻo Valley road in covered 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Access prior to September 19 remains limited to those specified within the Mayor’s Waipiʻo Valley Road Emergency Rule No.1, signed on February 25, 2022. The updated rules forbid pedestrians, uncovered vehicles, including but not limited to ATVs, and horseback access at this time. In addition, vehicles and passengers shall abide by existing traffic laws as outlined in the emergency rules. The authority to grant or deny additional access is within the sole discretion of the Mayor. Significant weather events and construction may further limit access.
A virtual community meeting is scheduled for today at 2:00 pm via Zoom to discuss the updated rules and hear from community members. Interested residents may access the meeting using the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1616553524?pwd=cGFYbjFUVkJEWHBSMDMvVzlKdmlMQT09
The Office of the Mayor will begin issuing permits to licensed tour operators beginning this Monday.
