COM 0400.139 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FREDCHOLSCHUH,M.D. ~?+n.~''4 Tel: (808)961-8264 Cunnci! Member `'•'t ~ Fax: (80R) 961-8913 yld~s~ .,h ~ r. L', HAWAI7000NTYCOUNCIL County of Hawai `i . _ Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 September I5, 2004 MEMORANDUM TO: James Y. Arakaki, Chair, and Coundl Members l~ FROM: Fred C. Holschuh, M.D. _ ' SUBJECT: Bi11178 Aloha. For your consideration and for all concerned citizens, l wanted to share a few thoughts in writing about Bill 178. We acknowledge that development in Kona, coupled with existing traffic, is a real issue. People are frustrated, and with good reason. With frustration comes anger and reactionary emotion. We hear, "moratorium." Now we hear, "Concurrency no more unless and until things are set right." There is a powerful attraction to this thinking. It makes a statement. It appears to respond to all the clamor we've heard about Kona traffic. The problem with saying "no" is that we sacrifice saying "yes" to other good principles and social benefits. So we're left wondering is there any middle ground for our discussion of Bill 178? I think there is, but it requires a measure of temperance, fairness and reason. For this, we need to summon an open mind. The philosopher Aristotle once said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." That's what I'd like us to - entertain a few thoughts on their merits as grist for decision-making. We have heard that we should uphold the mayor's veto because the Clifto's project will add more people, more commerce, and more traffic to an already clogged two-lane highway. And, as long as Queen Kaahumanu Highway remains atwo-lane road, that's true. That viewpoint is compelling. On the other hand, we know that the state Department of Transportation is committed to widening Queen Kaahumanu to four lanes. We're stumped, though, because we don't know precisely when or how fast this will be accomplished. Let's review the record. I Comm. No. '-ADO. Ref. To: Preseot~ q~ llau~ai'i Counq~ is an h.t)mil Oppnrnmil,l' Prrorn4'r nrid t;mp(n°er Ref. UQtB ~FP ~ LU~4