HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PWMTC 2022/08/16 2020-2022 Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit
24th Session
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
August 16, 2022
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit
ORDER: was called to order at 1:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Kona, by
Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair
Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member(via videoconference from Hilo )
Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member
Ms. Heather Kimball, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member
Absent& Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair
Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member
STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.)
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
Res. 478-22: AUTHORIZES THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE SOUTHERN
ROADWAY STUB-OUT OF KA`EKA STREET IN THE DISTRICT OF
NORTH KONA, COUNTY AND STATE OF HAWAII
The temporary closure would reduce loitering, littering, consumption of
alcohol, and other illegal activities in this area until such time as the Council,
by resolution, authorizes its reopening.
Reference: Comm. 899
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 478-22. Seconded by Ms. Kimball.
PWMTC-24 August 16,2022
CHR. LEE LOY: Mr. Inaba, please lead our discussion.
MR. INABA: Mahalo. Just to give us an idea, if we go south, straight from the
West Hawaii Civic Center here prior to hitting Palani Road, you have
Manawalea Street, which is the street that takes you up past the Lei Kupuna and
Kalapana Housing. And in working with HHFDC (Hawai`i Housing Finance and
Development Corporation), Stanford Carr, and Michaels Management Company,
which is the managing company for both properties, there are some issues with
houses, individuals, and even people not from the area using that stub-out to
consume alcohol and loiter there.
So this is kind of the first step in trying to clean up that area. And it was
requested by those three parties that we close this down. DPW (Department of
Public Works) and the Police Department are here and have chimed in, in writing
as well, that they're in support of this temporary closure until such time that we
see it set to undo.
But asking for my colleagues' support. And after the Council can pass this, I look
forward to working with the Police Department and the Office of Housing to see
what else we can do for those who are along the main drag, as well. Mahalo.
CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. We have Mr. Pause. Any more
comments? Police Department, if you guys don't mind coming forward?
(Note: At this time, Public Works Director Steve Pause came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. PAUSE: Good afternoon, Steve Pause, Director of DPW (Department of
Public Works). So DPW supports this resolution. I know staff from our Traffic
Division worked with Councilman Inaba to help prepare the language, and staff
from our Highways department will be available to place the appropriate barriers
there. So again, DPW does support this. Thank you.
(Note: At this time, Police Sergeant Michael Hardie came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. HARDIE: I had a chance to read over the resolution. I understand our
Police Chief has already approved of this. I work directly in the Community
Policing Section, and our unit specifically deals with this a lot. Just documented
incidences are over 30 incidences of suspicious vehicles, suspicious persons,
everything you described, intoxicating liquor. So I think it would be very
beneficial to do it.
CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, gentlemen. Any of my colleagues?
MR. CHUNG: Yeah.
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PWMTC-24 August 16,2022
CHR. LEE LOY: Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: I mean,just putting my two cents in. I want to support Mr. Inaba
in this matter. You know, these are simple things. We deal on a broader scale a
lot of times, but these simple measures are what makes life better for residents in
different neighborhoods. So yeah, I support this completely. Just wanted to say
that. Thank you.
CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Mr. Inaba.
MR. INABA: Mahalo. And thank you, Steve. And for the record, this is
Sergeant Mike Hardie, with HPD (Hawai`i Police Department). So thank you
both for being here today and for your support, and look forward to following up
with you folks moving forward. Mahalo.
CHR. LEE LOY: Great. Seeing no more comments. The motion on the floor is
to forward Resolution 478-22 to the Council with a favorable recommendation.
All those in favor,please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 478-22: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 478-22
(Approved) was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and
Chair Lee Loy —7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and Richards —2.
Excused: None.
CHR. LEE LOY: We're at the end.
ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:12.m., Mr. Inaba moved to adjourn the
MENT: meeting. Seconded by Ms. Kimball and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and
Chair Lee Loy —7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and Richards —2.
Excused: None.
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