Kīlauea board votes 4–2 to back letter supporting undergrounding utility line

The Kīlauea Neighborhood Association voted 4–2 on March 8 to write a letter supporting a resident's request to underground a utility line along Mihi Road.

Through Ginny Shinn, the board considered a letter from Lincoln Watkins asking the association to back plans to place a KIUC utility line underground and to move communication antennas to a new pole in the Japanese Cemetery. Ginny told the board that "the Watkins are willing to pay for undergrounding the line for all or part of the length of Mihi Rd." The motion to write a letter was seconded; four members voted for the motion (Ron Paul, Charlie Martin, Carrie Souza and Ginny Shinn) and two voted against (Gary Pacheco and Beryl Blaich). Ginny volunteered to draft the letter.

Supporters argued undergrounding would improve views of Crater Hill and benefit the cemetery; opponents raised concerns about using KIUC funds and criticized the Watkins property as affecting neighbors' views. The board recorded the split but proceeded to authorize the letter, with no additional conditions recorded in the minutes. The action was taken during new business added after announcements and is documented in the meeting minutes.