HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0348.016 2020-2022 I
Xl Pr-
-21
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From: JD Pasamonte COUNTY CLERK
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 11:03 AM ®I
RECEIVED
To: Council Testimony Time (110aA
Subject: Re: Honua'ula project
Date AUG 1 7 2021
My name is Julio Pasamonte and I reside at address 74-793 Ulua'o'a Street Kailua, Kona, Hawai'i. I lived at the
aforementioned residence since 1981, and was one of the first ones to build a house there within the Harborview
Subdivision formerly known as the Cho Cho Estates.
Traffic was not a problem at all during that time period, however as more people started building their homes there,
traffic obviously picked up. As years passed most of the lots were sold, whereby more houses were built, and the
cross streets like Huaala, Hanahanai, and Kealakehe were all occupied, and ultimately traffic increased.
Below our subdivision on Kealakaa street is Kealakehe Elementary School and below said school is Kealakehe
Intermediate School. Also, at the extreme north end of Kealakaa street is another school, Makualani School and on
Manawalea road is a preschool, all of these school are in close proximity. Further down Manawalea road, not far
away is the Kealakehe high school. Needless to say, that school traffic became an apparent problem. Issues with
vehicular traffic and pedestrians (school students) became evident, whereby prompting the County of Hawai'i to hire
crossing guards at the school and posted them at the intersections of Kealakaa and Kumukani streets. I was employed
with the Hawai'i County Police Department at the time and heard of lots of"close calls" (meaning traffic accidents)
in the area, mostly during the start and end of school. On occasions, I as a police officer were assigned to operate
traffic radar on Kealakaa and Ulua'o'a streets and focus on speeders as there were numerous complaints of speeding
and other violations in these areas, and also, there were numerous traffic casualties in the Kealakehe area.
As time passed, more affordable housing, like Lai'I'Lani, Kaimalino Housing, Jack Hall apartments and Manawalea
apartments within close proximity and population as well as traffic increased tremendously and and as a result a road
was put in connecting to the Kealakehe High School.
Currently, traffic became a bigger problem, especially on school days. Now bear in mind that there are four schools
in close proximity. As mentioned earlier, I reside on Ulua'o'a street an witness every morning and afternoon the
volume of traffic from Palani road onto Ulua'o'a street then executing a left turn onto Kealakaa street destined to
either Kealakehe elementary or Kealakehe intermediate schools or right turn destined to Kealakehe high school or pre
school on Manawalea road or to Makualani school. As a result of high volume of traffic on Kealakaa street,
westbound traffic on Ulua'o'a street often times are at a stand still. Making matter even worse, is the the traffic gets
tied up on the cross street which intersects with Ulua'o'a street,to wit, Huaala and Kealapua streets.
At present, traffic is a serious safety hazard which exists in our area. Building more housing in this already crowded
area, is asking for bigger problems which would definitely impact public safety in this areas. Issues that we're faced
with now will worsen, and that I can guarantee. To avoid potential problems in the future I strongly urge council
members not consider the Honu'ula project to continue. Thank you very much.
Comm. No. 10
Ref. To.
1 Ref. Date AUU 1 8 2021