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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0635.000 1998-2000 JHgV OF H^~ DOMINIC YAGONG`•~'~~ .1~I,i~O Phone: (808) 961-8264 Couneflnrenrber - ~ FAX: 1808) 969-3291 ~ F UF~HF/ '00 J(~~:: 2'i r'~l 3 COUNTY COUNCIL Covnh~ of Hawaii ~ _ Hawaii County Building rV~ ~ 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, tfuwnii 9672!) January 24, 2000 Memo to: James Y. Arakaki, Chairman Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 From: Dominic Yagong, Councilmember Attached please find a copy of my letter dated January 23, 2000, addressed to Mayor Stephen Yamashiro. He will be proposing an amendment to the CIP $30 million bond float to fund the first increment of the Kalmlui-Keauhou Pazkway (formerly known as Ali`i Highway project) to address the issue of building mauka-makai roads in Kona. Please refer this communication to the Committee on Public Works & Parks on February 15, 2000. This will give us the opportunity to analyze the Mayor's proposal, and at the same time, review the status of the Lako Street Connector project. I will be inviting the consultant to make a presentation on behalf of the private land owner in regards to Lako Street, and the Public Works Department will be presenting the design plan of the Kahului-Keauhou parkway project. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Att. Cvd.tr Comm. No. r`/ File No._ ~F Ref. To:- r'?Q[/ Ref. Date~lAN 2 4 1000 /~aN1r.aF ~q` DOMIN]C YACONG ~ ~ ~J,I iz~ i'hone: (808) 961-8264 Councihnembcr ~,i'~ PAX. (808) 969-3291 OF N~ C01JN'I'1' COUNCIL Counfy of Hawaii Hawaii Counh~ Building 2.5 Aupuzzi StreeE January 23, 2000 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 The Honorable Stephen Yamashiro Mayor County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mayor Yamashiro, In your efforts to address the public outcry regarding mauka-makai access in Kona, you are proposing utilizing $3 million dollars from the $30 million dollar bond float to build the first increment of the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway (formerly known as Ali'i Highway). Although T don't believe that this is the best option at this time, I do applaud your effort in helping to address the need for mauka-makai access in Kona. Since the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway project will be federally funded (80%) and county funded (20%), your proposal of utilizing this bond float would add approximately $2.4 million dollars to the parkway project. That's assuming that your projection cost of $3 million dollars is correct for the first increment. (Considering that this first increment will include 3 intersections, negotiating flood plains and a stream... as well as topography challenges, $3 million seems to be conservative according to many observers). I strongly recommend that we take a good hard look at your proposal as well as the proposed Lako Street Connector project. We need to determine which proposal is the best alternative at this time. The Lako Street Connection is already on the $30 million dollar bond float whereby the County Council appropriated $3 million for the project. Lako Street is designed as a true mauka-makai connector roadway, which also connects above Queen Ka'ahumanu highway. The Lako Street connector is already halfway completed, whereas the remaining connection alignment sits on land that the private landowner SUPPORTS amauka-makai road for the Kona community. Our efforts should be concentrated on working with the private landowner to connect Lako Street, as it was a strong priority expressed by the Kona community as we formulated the $30 million dollar bond float. Page 2 -Lako Street Connector The consultant representing the mainland landowner has indicated to the Council that they are ready and willing to work with the County to donate the land needed to build the Lako Street connector road. A preliminary azcheology study has been completed, and I am convinced that the private landowner would hire a consultant to complete the study to address archeology concerns and help map out the proper alignment. As Public Works and Parks Committee Chairman, I will be requesting that the Public Works Deparhnent conduct a presentation on your Ali'i Parkway first increment plan to the committee. At the same time, I will request a presentation from the private landowner on the proposed Lako Street connector through their property. 1 will clear the Public Works Committee agenda on February 15`h, so that we may begin to analyze the proposals and make an intelligent decision on the alternatives available to the County. Thank you for your interest, and we hope that your bill recommending amending the CIP projects relative to the $30 million dollar bond float is held off until the County Council can review both plans. It also may be advantageous to allow the Kona community, who will be directly effected by this decision, the opportunity to hear both plans and share input as to where we should proceed first with our dollars to provide mauka-makai access. Warmest Aloha, Dominic Yagon Councilmember Cc: James Arakaki, Council Chairman All Councilmembers