2004-02-06 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

Home

this subcommittee. He will talk to the new members about serving on this subcommittee if they are interested. C. TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE Î B. WHITNEY T. Brown reported that last year the State selected a consultant (Weslin) to do the islandwide transportation plan for all the neighbor islands. Th public transportation (school buses, para-transit). The initial information gathering began in December 2003/January 2004 for East Hawaii. The inform will begin in February/March 2004 for West Hawaii. The study is scheduled to be completed in December 2004. E. Mason asked how is transportation going to be arranged for th no transportation to attend the meeting. T. Brown stated that he will see what he can do to make arrangements for transportation. In the past, a van was operated for transportation. One of the state requirements is that public meetings be held in Hilo, Kona, Puna, North Kohala, and Waimea. T. Brown reported that federal funds will be received to supplement the countyÓs transportation budget which was earmarked by Senator Daniel Inouye. The county will be receiving $2.4 million to upgrade the transportation services on the island. Senator Inouye tied in the congressional earmark with the ÐWar on IceÑ because congressional earmarks are usually for capital purchases. One of the transportation improvements will be for after school transportation. Secondly, para-transit service (Handi-Van service) will be implemented in West Hawaii. It will initially run 10 hours a day until demand is determined. An additional Kona/Hilo run will be added and three more runs within the Kona area. The Mass Transit Agency has gone back to using the Handi-Van which was re City and County of Honolulu. The Handi-Van is an 18-passenger van. But with two wheelchair riders, it will hold 14 passengers. E. Mason asked if an announcement was published in the newspaper informing the public about the new Handi-Van service. The news release should be done as a public service announcement. T. Brown responded that a press re on the radio. He explained that there are different ways to get information out to different groups depending on where you live. He prefers the radio because itÓs cheaper. Sometimes people help pass out notices in Pahoa. He h much success with public service announcements in the newspaper. J. Souza pointed out that hearing-impaired people are unable to hear the radio so he would prefer the newspaper. A. Levin referred T. Brown to Janet Snyder, Public Relations Specialist, about doing a public service announcement. J. Hartman suggested utilizing the local television station to make announcements. S. Golden suggested disseminating a flyer with the bus schedule, announcement of the meeting, or bus service change. 2