PD Background Report Kamehameha Schools (PL-SPP-2023-037)

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located behind the existing structures. A driveway connects the parking lot located on the mauka side of the Project Area to Mamalahoa Highway. Traffic Volume As noted in Exhibit C, the closest public street intersection is Mamalahoa Highway /Middle Keei Road, located approximately 0.1 miles north of the Project Area. Traffic counts observed from May 24 to May 25, 2022, at this intersection counted a total of 9,062 vehicles per day,with a direction split of 50%/50%going north-south on Mamalahoa Highway. Based on the existing low density of land use and low traffic volumes in the immediate area, no operational issues were observed during the AM and PM peak periods. Proposed Modifications All of the proposed modifications are on-site and intended to improve circulation and safety. The Proposed Action removes the existing 6 parking stalls on Mamalahoa Highway and creates a 12-stall overflow parking along the south side of the Project Area. The current driveway that runs east-west on site is also proposed to be widened to a minimum of 20 feet to accommodate two-lane traffic. Two stop signs will be placed at locations near Mamalahoa Highway and at the cross between the two-lane driveway and the parking located in front of the existing building. With a total of 35 parking stalls, and an estimated need for 60 total parking stalls, drop-off and pick-up times will be staggered to keep congestion at a minimum and traffic circulating. Discussion: The Project Area will undergo changes,which will include modifications to the existing circulation. These modifications will be made outside the public right-of-way. This means that the Proposed Action will not interfere with any pedestrian or bike facilities that are currently in place. Additionally, the project will not prevent any future improvements to walking and biking, such as the general recommendations from The Kona Community Development Plan and the Hawai'i Statewide Pedestrian Master Plan, including a future widening of Mamalahoa Highway for bike paths and improved pedestrian facilities across the state. Based upon the impact significance criteria and the results of the operations analysis, development of the proposed project is not expected to result in any significant traffic impacts under either of the study peak periods at the Hawaii Belt Road/Middle Keei Road intersection. As such, no project mitigation is needed for operational impacts to the public roadway system. 10