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<br /> w' process for something as simple as a one block roadway. I am not <br /> much interested in attempting to involve myself in the workings <br /> of Keaau these days unless I am asked, which I was by a resident. <br /> Regarding the Bill 39 which concerns parking along the Old <br /> Volcano Highway, I would like to suggest a few things <br /> *Go look at the proposed area. The street from the intersection <br /> of the Pahoa Highway to the entrance of the Keaau :;hopping Center <br /> is congested with cars turning from all directions. Thank <br /> goodness they are sll going slow. As much as I like to see tike <br /> lanes, the road does not seem wide enough to accomodate them and <br /> two lanes and a middle turn lane. As people turn onto the OVH, <br /> they cut the turn pretty close and wculd appear to endanger sny <br /> bikers encouraged to ride there. It would also be *.he "bike lsne <br /> r.o and from nowhere', as there don't appear to be any bike lanes <br /> on the P.shoa Highway. Let's not use public money only <br /> symbolically without making a real bike plan. I have talked this <br /> over with Ron Reilly a+. length. It is a nice concept, but <br /> requires a plan of where these Lanes are connecting out wider. <br /> *I would personally rather see bike paths incorporated into the <br /> design of future construction to keep the bikes off this <br /> congested roadway. The path of the New Volcano Highway (the <br /> original roadway that ran past where the Catholic Church now <br /> stands, across the PH near the Hilo side of the school, through <br /> the old village behind where the old 3teaau Natural Foods was and <br /> up the alley, across OVH and in front of the Olaa Japanese Church <br /> which has now been moved, and out of the back side of the <br /> village), would be a possible route that also represents historrc <br /> preservation. The old rail bed from the sugar cane train runs <br /> behind the old Sakaguchl Plantation Store (across Eas*. West <br /> Clinic) and to the site of the-new High School, where there is <br /> already an underpass under the Pahoa Highway. This is a possible <br /> hike path that, hooked up to a future bike path along railroad <br /> avenue (doubling as an emergency route from Lower Puna and public <br /> transportation route for small buses, if wide enough), would <br /> enhance the economic possibilities for the ores. The highway <br /> bypass stands to block bike access to }ieaau unless planned for. <br /> *As for removing parking from residents who use the Post Office <br /> frequently, I think now, it is a poor idea. Street parking <br /> serves to make stopping there essler, just as village parking did <br /> in the past. It is unfortunate that plans are to remove the post <br /> office, one of the few gathering places left in Keaau. But until <br /> this time, I would suggest that you not make a raceway out of <br /> this stree+.. (30 look at it carefully before deciding. Either <br /> bike lanes or a center turn lane, but not both, there just isn't <br /> room. Let the parking remain, with respect to any requests from <br /> Police and Fire Departments, and re-evaluate when the new <br /> shopping mall is complete. Use your eyes rather than plans on <br /> paper, and tpa a pu is all future plans for the village giving <br /> resident' time an a forum for comment. <br /> th SI ri~and Al a <br /> Sandy Bonk <br /> Director ]iessu Historl sl ociety <br /> <br />