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Page 1 of 2 <br /> Eoff, Karen <br /> From: Carole Kwiat [cakwiat@yahoo.com] <br /> Sant: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 11:23 AM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Ce: Pilago, K. Angel <br /> Subject: Testimony Regarding Hilu Hilu/Palamanui Development <br /> <br /> Aloha Planning Committee Members, <br /> <br /> Continued development in West Hawaii is a source of big concern for all of us who live here and must <br /> confront the daily trials of increased traffic, diminishing services, and environmental depletion. While <br /> <br /> we are not opposed in theory to the future development of Palamanui because it offers some nice <br /> <br /> benefits to our community, we do oppose any development without construction of a safe Mauka-Makai <br /> connector road constructed to meet or exceed the public safety standards for major connector roads. <br /> <br /> This is the time for the county to step up to the plate and take a firm stand with developers who wish to <br /> <br /> profit from our beautiful island to assure that all citizens will benefit from this development. Charles <br /> Schwab advertises that potential investors in his funds can "Ask Chuck"; we say in this instance that the <br /> <br /> County Board must "Tell Chuck". <br /> In the case of Palamanui, the Planning Committee has an opportunity to insist that the developers <br /> construct an 80 foot wide connector road with a safe grade that is within County and State guidelines <br /> <br /> because that option is readily available to those developers. A representative of HiluHilu Development <br /> has already indicated at a Makalei Homeowner's Association Meeting in January that the <br /> company would be amenable to working with Lynch Development to construct the connector road to the <br /> north on a parcel that would be much better suited to such a road. With state and county cooperation this <br /> can and must be required. <br /> Allowing an unsafe road to be completed as even a temporary measure will open the State and County to <br /> lawsuits generated by motorists and their families who suffer tragedies as a result. There is no question <br /> that will be the result if Makalei Drive is made into a connector road. There have already been several <br /> serious accidents there due to its steep grade and sharp curves. Instead of a university being constructed <br /> in the area, a hospital with a level 1 trauma center might be more appropriate. <br /> With the recent ruling by the courts that the County and State governments can be held responsible, it <br /> would be folly to allow construction of yet another road that clearly does not meet guidelines. After <br /> countless hours of testimony and numerous letters, let it be said in no uncertain terms, that the County <br /> Board has been fully warned that Makalei Road is inadequate and unsafe to be a main connector road. <br /> So, when the first traffic fatality occurs, get out your wallets County Board, because it's going to cost <br /> you! Blatant disregard for facts and warnings should incur personal liability amongst the individual <br /> Board members. <br /> Our future is in your hands. Please use your authority to assure that development proceeds responsibly <br /> so that infrastructure is in place to safely support new homes, universities, hospitals, and shops, and <br /> most of all our ohana. Comm. No. <br /> Ref. To:f~sse~ted V <br /> 4/26/2006 Reif. Uate <br /> <br />