PL-SLU-2022-008-PL-REZ-2022-039 06.14.23 E. Flores Opposition Testimony within 48 hrs

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Chapter 4: Waimea Town Plan The widening of the shoulder area along the Kohala Mountain Road to allow for bicyclists should also be considered as a future project. Currently,the road is already used by many bicyclists. Implementation of many of the ideas presented above would require the cooperation of South Kohala land owners. Strategy 5.5 Implement short-term traffic mitigation improvements in and around Waimea Town Center — The "Draft Waimea Traffic Circulation Study" by the engineering company PB Americas provides recommendations on relatively near-term improvements that could be implemented to lessen the severity of peak hour traffic congestion in Waimea Town Center. These improvements include widening a section of Mamalahoa Highway from 2 lanes to 4 lanes, and improvements to the main intersection of Mamalahoa Highway/Lindsey Road/Kawaihae Road. Some community members have gone on record criticizing the study for lack of understanding of Waimea's unique history and "country town" character. Specifically, some people have strongly opposed any widening of Mamalahoa Highway near the town center from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. The suggested alternate action is "changes in travel habits" rather than road widening. For example, starting time for (some) schools and/or some places of employment both in Waimea and in the Resorts might significantly alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours — although changing starting times for schools to a later time may result in schools ending at the same time as the afternoon peak traffic conditions. There were community concerns about other plan details. However, the plan was recently submitted to the County as a "final" plan with no changes. Safe routes to school programs that encourage bicycling and walking to school will alleviate a percentage of morning traffic and should be part of a comprehensive traffic mitigation plan for Waimea Town Center. This includes sidewalk, cross walk improvements, crossing guards, pedestrian and bicycle education in schools, "Walking Bus" programs, and "Bicycle Train" (adult supervised bicycling to school programs.) The County needs to work closely with the Waimea community as elements of this plan are designed and implemented. Strategy 5.6 Design and construct the Parker Ranch Connector Road — Parker Ranch and the County of Hawai'i recently reached an agreement regarding design and construction of the "Parker Ranch Connector Road." This much needed road would extend from Kamamalu Street in east Waimea to Mamalahoa Highway just north of the Parker Ranch racetrack and rodeo grounds. Regarding the intersection of this Connector Road with Mamalahoa Highway to the east of Waimea Center: the North Hawai'i Hospital has gone on record opposing any intersection that would require the Connector Road to be constructed in close proximity to the Hospital's eastern boundary. The North Hawai'i Hospital has also stated that the bypass should not be constructed on hospital property. Construction of this road would allow traffic between East Hawai'i and Mamalahoa Highway south to avoid the congestion of Waimea Town Center. The estimated cost of the road is $15 million, and the estimated completion date is 2010. Engineering design work for the project is to proceed in early 2008. Details of the multi-purpose path that will parallel the new road have yet to be finalized. Strategy 5.7 Design and construct the Lalamilo Connector Road — This proposed road would extend from the Parker Ranch Connector/Mamalahoa intersection to Kawaihae Road in the vicinity of the existing County solid waste transfer station. Construction of this road, together with completion of all three Phases of the Parker Ranch Connector Road, could potentially allow traffic between Waiaka and Pu'ukapu to circumvent the Waimea Center. The estimated cost is over $9 million, and the road would be financed and maintained by the County. As of January 2008, the Environmental Assessment and detailed design work for this project was "on hold" pending finalization of the "Waimea Traffic Circulation Study." Of special concern is the State Department of Agriculture's recommendation of "800 feet and preferably greater than 1,000 feet distance from South Kohala CDP November, 2008 FINAL Page 75