COM 1144.000 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Stacy K. Higa, Chair Hawaii County Council October 17, 2006 Page 2 Consumer.org provides the following definition, delineating the difference between AWD vehicles and Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles: "The key difference between 4WD and AWD is that 4WD incorporates low-range gearing, which helps in more challenging off-road conditions such as traversing rocks or deeper water, or tackling steep off-pavement hills." Since multiple signs posted at the entrance to the valley indicate that one must have a 4WD vehicle to traverse the road into the valley, I am recommending that we amend section 24-293, schedule 41, to reflect that only vehicles equipped with Four-Wheel Drive be allowed into the valley. It must also be noted that our Code, as it is currently written, restricts vehicles to all wheel drive vehicles only and does not allow for four-wheel drive vehicles to traverse the Waipi`o Valley Access Road. All-wheel drive does not encompass and include four-wheel drive vehicles, and as noted earlier, they are different in concept, capacity and definition. Therefore, when amended, chapter 24, article 10, division 8, section 24-293, schedule 41, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), will read as follows: "Section 24-293. Schedule 41. Use of certain streets by certain vehicles restricted. The following classes of vehicles are precluded from the use of the designated streets when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected: (a) Hamakua (1) Pakalana Street, from Lehua Street to Mamane Street, makai bound only: (A) Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GV WR) of more than ten thousand pounds shall not travel in the makai-bound direction. (B) This restriction shall be lifted during emergencies as may be declared by the office of civil defense. (2) Waipi`o Valley Access Road. (A) Restricted to [all-wheel] four-wheel drive vehicles only. (B) Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GV WR) of more than ten thousand pounds shall not travel on this road. This restriction shall not be applicable to utility, emergency or delivery vehicles providing services to business establishments and residents [ee] in Waipi`o Valley. (C) Vehicle shall be engaged in m] four-wheel drive mode. (D) Makai-bound vehicle shall yield to mauka-bound vehicle. (E) These restrictions may be lifted during emergency situations as deemed necessary by the Civil Defense Agency. (b) North Hilo (c) South Hilo (d) Ka`u (e) Kohala (f) Kona (1) Vehicles with three or more tons gross vehicle weight. The provisions hereof shall not be applicable to utility, emergency, or delivery vehicles and school buses providing services