2014-52 Currier Connectivity Comments

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Brown, Larry Communication No. 2014-52 From: David Currier <david@kkdc.com> Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 4:11 AM To: Brown, Larry Cc: UschiandDavid Snover; Richard Raitt; Kevin@kkdc.com; theboardofdirectors@kalapanaseaviewhawaii.org Subject: Signed Petition Against County Road Into Kalapana Seaview Estates, Puna Dear Mr. Brown, We are writing you to object to the County of Hawaii's proposal to develop a highway in the Puna District which leads to Mapuana Avenue in Kalapana Seaview Estates. We believe that implementation of this proposal is ill advised. There are numerous alternatives that address the area's safety issues without negatively impacting the residents of Seaview. The three of us who have signed the attached petition are homeowners and soon-to-be residents at 12-263 Mapuana Avenue and will begin construction on a larger home on a contiguous lot, also on Mapuana Avenue, in September. Kalapana Seaview Estates was developed primarily as a single-family home, bedroom community. Funneling traffic through our community can only have a detrimental impact on the quality of life. The remoteness of Kalapana Seaview Estates and other residential neighborhoods in this area along the "Red Road" presents challenges for the health and safety of the residents. However, destroying the community atmosphere of Seaview, Puna Palisades or Kehena by constructing any highway that increases traffic through these areas will not solve the problems you are hoping to address. Residents who have chosen to build homes and live in this area were well aware of the challenges of the distance from Hilo or even Pahoa when they made their decisions. These are challenges we accept because of other aspects of the quality of life found only in Puna. Aside from creating increased danger of being hit by a moving vehicle for the children and elderly in our neighborhood, making Mapuana Avenue a main street between Pahoa and the "Red Road" will only negatively impact the property values of all homeowners all of Seaview. We are sure that you are aware that studies of highway usage have clearly demonstrated that the "science" used to predict traffic is extremely weak. Unfortunately, improved highways generate new usage by unpredictable amounts. The expanded and improved highways do not simply accommodate the current traffic more efficiently. Expanded highways generate more cars on the highways than before construction, and the increase in traffic then requires further expansion. The last thing any of us residents of Seaview or Puna need is more automobiles on our quiet streets. A scanned copy of the signed petition is attached to this email. If you require the original copy, please let me know and we will send it to you immediately. Please contact us if you have any questions. Mahalo.