2012-09-20 Leeward Exh B - Ward Testimony (DPW)

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Ali‘i Drive. Improvements for this section have been promised in various forms and formats for over 28 years. When the plan to construct the connection was proposed and make this a major collector, but not doing any improvements, local residents were so outraged, because they felt their lives and security would be threatened, that the County wisely decided to invest up to 1.2 million dollars in a Context Sensitive Solution process to identify the needs and concerns that fit the local context of the neighborhood, and along with the process, completing the environmental assessment for the roadway. The Context Sensitive Solution process integrates essential safety and access concerns. The result of this CSS process was integrated as part of the final environmental assessment and the finding of no significant impact. However, two components are not yet part of the current plan to be constructed that’s the subject of this SMA application. First, the CSS process resulted in a recommendation of one alternative for construction; it did not divide it, it did not segregate it, it did not separate it into multiple projects, but there was just one recommendation. Further, when funding was sought by the administration, the public was once again assured that in the – bear with me just a minute – Fiscal Year 2009 to 2010 the Project Data and Financial Impact Statement was submitted as part of the CIP to include just a single lump sum amount in one given year for construction. This included both the connection and the improvements that were warranted for the lower part of the roadway. Well, the administration, I feel, is quite wise and pragmatic and perhaps even a little bit shrewd to proceed with bidding of only the major construction portion to ascertain how much it’s going to cost. It’s still absolutely crucial that we prosecute concurrently, not just the completed – excuse me, I should rephrase that – the improvements must be prosecuted concurrently and completed prior to converting La‘aloa from essentially a cul-de-sac to a 60-foot wide major collector and opening it to traffic. And just references in the notice that was sent to the public, the most critical portion that lacks sidewalks, there is no additional room, and includes a curve that at times is a blind curve, is not even scheduled to the third phase. Second, under the premise for the project to provide an alternative evacuation route as, again, stated in the EA for tsunamis or emergencies on Ali‘i Drive, the CSS process stipulated in the CSS report, and included in the appendix of the EA, that “Street lighting will be provided along the corridor, all other utilities will be constructed underground.” For those that have, I believe, a common understanding of the types of events that can occur, placing overhead utilities with the cable, the electrical, telephone lines overhead, where they can be damaged in the one event that’s necessary for an evacuation, would not be the best decision to make. I’ve never heard of it in years of my experience in engineering that that would be the most prudent form to do. So I believe the prudent opportunity here, as stated in the EA, is that for the mere, I think it’s only six spans of electric lines, should be placed out of harm’s way and underground just like the rest of the roadway would be. But this is the portion that’s right down at the bottom of Ali‘i Drive. There is a third issue I want to bring up as well, too, as it relates to access. And I will contend that for cars and trucks the design as proposed is going to be adequate. However, where the road approaches a 14 percent gradient, that’s about twice as steep coming up Kealakehe Parkway, they just on the plans are adding a sidewalk or two; it’s not going to be adequate. I suspect most pedestrians and virtually all but elite bicyclists wouldn’t be able to ascend this grade. And for that reason, approximately two and a half years ago, the Kona CDP Action Committee revised the official transportation network to include a switchback shared-use path in this corridor, which would reduce the gradient that allow virtually pedestrians of all abilities and bicyclists of all skill 2 EXHIBIT B