2012-07-19 Leeward Exh A - Kohanaiki

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BOWMAN: Okay. Why don’t we go from this side. And if you could please state your name and then your testimony. Thank you. ZIMPFER: My name is Jeff Zimpfer -. BOWMAN: Please speak into the mike. ZIMPFER: My name is Jeff Zimpfer, and I’m an environmental protection specialist for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. And I’m here today on behalf of Kathy Billings, the Superintendent of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. (Mr. Zimpfer read a comment letter dated July 19, 2012, signed by Kathy Billings – SEE ATTACHMENT TO EXHIBIT A.) BOWMAN: Thank you. Commissioners, any questions for the testifier? Any additional testifying? That’s good? Okay, thank you. Would you state your name, please, for the record and speak into the mike. MATSUYAMA: Okay. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Burke Matsuyama, and I’m the president of the Kohanaiki Business Park Association. We are an organization comprised of over 50 landowners and businesses with over 500 employees and thousands of patrons who use the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Huliko‘a intersection on a daily basis. I’m here on their behalf, also the Kohanaiki ‘ohana, and would like to voice my support and urge the Commission to swiftly pass this application. In a sense, I’m not only here to speak for my members, as well as the ‘ohana and fellow landowners, but the whole Kona community who have sacrificed their time and resources in adopting the Kona Community Development Plan, which identifies the need for the frontage road in its plans and policies. The Plan’s endorsement should make the Commissioners understand that this proposed roadway was put under many hours of public scrutiny and discussion and ultimately gained the support and adoption of the people of Kona. This alone should make it clear to the Commissioners that this road is needed, and that the Kona community fully supports its implementation. However, no matter how important a CDP is as a planning tool for policy makers such as yourself, it cannot fully reflect the human scale of the importance of the roadway improvement. I’m here to fill in that human face for all of you. I would like the Commissioners to understand that the human face that looks upon the present traffic situation that exists in our area is filled with fear and apprehension. At present the intersection that services our subdivision and makai property is at times inadequate and dangerous. We need to quickly upgrade into a signalized format in order to allow safe passage of both mauka and makai properties. On a daily basis our members are faced with long wait time for turning left southbound on Queen Ka‘ahumanu, and the danger only increases due to the blind spot for the same left turning vehicle, created by right entering vehicles, which block the view of through-passing traffic. The condition is very dangerous and there have been accidents at our intersection. The situation for makai motorists leaving the Shores of Kohanaiki is even worse. The State DOT has adopted a policy of no left turns for all vehicles either entering or leaving the property and forcing motorists to make U-turns at our intersection and at the Natural Energy Lab. I would like to emphasize to the Commissioners that Huliko‘a was not designed to accommodate U-turns. The present situation is dangerous and accident waiting to happen. Please do not allow the human tragedy to occur. I urge the Commissioners to heed the desires of the Kona people and quickly ratify the application before you. Mahalo. BOWMAN: Thank you, Mr. Matsuyama. Any questions from the Commissioners? No? Hearing none, we will move to the next testifier, please. Please state your name. 4 EXHIBIT A