2008-05-22 TLELAH - Laserfiche WebLink

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WATANABE: Thank you. Mr. Rho. RHO: I have a question on the background report. Exhibit 12 is from the Kona Traffic Safety Committee, and it references the $400,000 for the improvements at the intersection at the bottom of Kaloko Drive – I think that’s what the road name is – and it’s also nd mentioned in the applicant’s representative’s letter to Mr. Yuen, dated April 22. And if I can just read his statement: “We also question what progress has been made to improve the Kaloko- Mamalahoa Highway intersection since there has been two years pass without action, even though the $400,000 has been collected by the County.” So I guess my question is whether or not you know whether or not any action has been taken or what’s happening to the money. I think at the last time Kaloko Mauka property came under review or for decision by this Commission, that same issue was brought up, and there was at least one negative vote. And my understanding is that it went up to the County (sic) and didn’t get approved, even though the Commission approved – I’m not sure whether it was a rezoning – but it was to split a property into two parcels, so you could build two houses on, let’s say, ten acres or 20 acres. It was approved by the Commission but rejected by the Council. And now we are faced with another applicant, not the same issue necessarily, but the same concern, at least my concern, which is that intersection at the bottom of that subdivision. So my question, again, is whether or not you know what’s happening to that $400,000. DARROW: If I could defer, we have two people today that might be able to better answer that question, that would be our Director as well as our representative, Kiran Emler, from the Department of Public Works. WATANABE: Would you care to jump in, Mr. Yuen? I think the State was involved or the State’s approval was involved to some degree. YUEN: Well, about $400,000 has been collected for Kaloko intersection improvements. The funds were directed to do a study of what could be done with money on that scale, and they came up with a report that basically sight distance improvements could be made by shaving away the banks on the Highway there. So there was this engineering study done. And we have a basic permission from the State Highways Department to do the project. It would have to be done by the Department of Public Works, and I have periodically mentioned to the Department that these funds are there and available for the project. WATANABE: Mr. Yuen, is it appropriate to ask Mr. Emler? Mr. Emler, I know you didn’t come here specifically to address that issue; however, do you feel like you could give us an update on -? It seems like at least you’ve got approval from the State now. EMLER: I’m not aware of it being on any list for, priority list for County projects at the present time. WATANABE: Okay, however, that’s correct, you would confirm that it’s approved by the State then. The proposed improvements have been approved by the State? EXHIBIT A 6