The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0630.009 1998-2000 02!15/00 TUE 16:01 FAX SOS 966 8522 WH SHIPldAN ~ 001 "'U~.I~. SHIPMAN, I,IMIT~1~ x~.u HAwAU ISI.AIvD February 15, 2000 From: Bob Saunders To the following via fax: ,...sf ~ ~ Ron Phillips n"~°"-"T"`-' ~y Dick Armstrong oate~...__---=-:_~~ Lt. James Kelly County Ccwr~cit 1Vlark Gushiken Loren Mochida Bob Deneve Adam Sardine Dennis Simonis Edward Andrade Ken Sowden Rzchard Ha This is summary of the meeting we had today. Will submit to County Council Feblvtrry i6, 2000. Let us know if you sec any discrepancies or would like to add something. There are four pages including this one. Comm. No. ~~9 File Ne._ ~u~ xeF.2~~: wntCl_ Ref. llate FEB 1 6 2000 P.O. Box 950 "A Kamaaina CampCa~y CortpribttGin~ to the Pldnrual t:rrowth of Hawaii" PhonC (808)966-9325 Kaau, Hawaii 96749 Fsrablishrd 1923 Far. (808) 966$522 02~ 15; 00 TCB 16:02 FA% 308 966 8522 9PH SHIPMAN X002 Summary of Meeting Rega~lg Resolution X06 - FebruarX 15.2000 Place: W. H. Shiprn~~r,, Ltd. office, Keaau Attendance: Ron Phillips Paradise Park -Association Director Dick Armstrong C. Brcwcr & Co. Lt. James Kelly Keaau Police - ,Mark Gushil~en I-iELCO Loren Mochida Tropical Hawaiian Products Bob Deneve Hawauan Phoenix Nursery Adam Jardine Horse breeder and trainer 17ennis Simonis Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation $dward Andrade DIET., Ken SowdenCounty Parks and Recreation Ricb~ard Ha Keaau Banana David Rietow Keaau Agromac, Inc. (via written correspondence) Bob Saunders W. H. Shipman, Limited 'The purpose of the meeting was to voice concerns by, farmers, public safety officials, utility officials, and property owners over the impact of Resolution 206. The following is a brief summary of concerns voiced by the about named people: Ron PhillI~: Paradise Park is all private property, including roads. The Association recently suffered a loss when an unauthorized vehicle ran into a child on a bicycle resulting in the child's death. A lawsuit ensued resulting in damages of about $1,000,000 of which the Essociation paid out of packet about $90,0(?O.What about liability issues if a bike rider is hurt or killed on the proposed trail?. Will the County take full responsibility? There are 90 families along railroad- each of them need to be consulted. They already have a problem with vandalism, trespassing, and crime this will. only increase the problem. Dick Armstronn: ]3rewer owns the fee interest in Macadamia Nut Road which crosses over the old railroad right of way. Presumably the County would want to acquire a portion of road so bikeway would be continuous. 02/l5/00 TUE 16:02 FAX 808 966 8322 WH SHIPMAN ~ 003 Big concern is Iiability -who will take responsibility for this. County would have to hold everyone h~rlnless. Lt..james Rel.Iy: Tn case of emergencies, access is a major problem. Haw to get rescue equipment and personnel in along a bike path? Vlore people in area will increase security problczns which rcyuires mare manpower Mark Cushiken: HELCO's power lines run along proposed ,bikepath. People damage their lines by shooting at the insulators. This will only get worse. Large HELCO vehicles travel road, -including several fuel tank trucks every day serving Keaau power plant. Since power plant fronts proposed bikepath does not feel this will be safe for bike riders. Y,oren Mochida: Voiced the same liability and security concerns as others. Lot of farmers using Railroad for hauling of harvested fruits. Sob Deneve: Already has a problem with thefts, will only increase. Because his is not a family farm, when treatment of crops occurs, signs must be posted (EPA and OSHA laws) to keep workers and others out of fields. Who will be responsible when bikers are exposed? .A,dam .Tardin~; His whole livelihood depends on the health and wellbeing of his horses. lTis pasture abuts the proposed path for about 1.,000 feet. Bike riders spook horses. Pointed out the Panaewa Equestrian center has large sign prohibiting bicycles on grounds for this very reason. He has had to put down colts when bike riders have spooked them and ran into trees and hurt themselves. Has seen bikeriders doing illegal things. Is very concerned this plan could put him out of business. Richard kTa: Big supporter of cycling- founder of Big Island Mountain Biking Association. However concerned that proposed path will negatively impact his farm which comes first. Security problems. When crops are treated cannot be zesponsible if bike riders are near. Bike riders need clean air to breathe. Has fields abutting proposed trail and is concern that tradewinds will carry spray across path. Dennis Simonis: Safety is big issue. ?50,000 tourist, 150 employees going up and down Mauna Loa's road cve~yday. Railroad crosses 141auna Loa's road, potential of major safely problems. Mauna Loa's orchard abuts 02/15/00 TUE 18:03 FAX 808 866 6522 WH SHIPMAN 1004 approximately one mile of the makai side of the proposed bikcpath. Mauna Loa also dots aerial crop dusting. Cannot be responsible for bike rider's safety- both as to traffic and spraying. Ed Andrade: DHHL will go along with whatever homesteaders want. Not all of them are awaze of issue. Need to be inform.cd of Resolution 206 j~y~.~ 'etow How do we keep bikers on path`? Who or what entity will be responsible? Theft is a significant problem- an increase in traffic and exposure may increase theft problem. Bob Saanders: There is a thriving and expanding diversified agriculture economy that straddles the proposed pathway. Dne of tl~e reasons diversified ag has succeeded in this area is because of the network of roads built by the plantation enabling present day farmers to get to and from their fields in all weather conditions. The old railroad right of way serves as an arterial conncctin.g many of these private roads to county and state highways. The idea of turning abandoned rail lines into bike trails ("rails to trails") is an excellent one. The problem with this line is that its use has been adapted to serve the needs of today's farmers- it zs aanythang but abandoned. Would be interested to learn haw County would propose to respond to very real concerns raised today- many of which have been expressed before to the cycling community with no apparent resolution. Liability and farm security are not "red herrings" but real issue that must be responsibly addressed. In summary there seems to be more questions than answers. Who will take full responsi.bil.ity for any injur..ies to b.ilce riders, landowners, and farmers? Who will be responsible for any damage to farmer's crops, or any equipment or crops stolen from than? Attendees and other farmers not present look forward to working with Parks and Recreation Dept. and others from the County in order to resolve this matter once and for all.