HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0715.025 2022-2024 P/ Fc
Bill 151
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From: Jacob Kemper
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 2:56 PM L '
To: Council Testimony e
Cc: Jacob Kemper .�. --
Subject: Bill #131-24 k:.)
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Aloha city council members, v,. h:
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This is my idea for you to consider (in advance of the Feb 5th meeting)on the bill proposed to find an alternate route in
Puna/Hwy 130. I saw your post on IG and decided I'd like you to hear my thoughts and concerns.
I'd like to see a dual use bike lane and golf cart lane along HWY 130 from Kalapana up to Hilo.
Sure you could make a new alternate road, but for people like me just being able to ride a bike or take a golf cart from
Leilani estates where I'm at up to Pahoa would be great! Or say I want to head down to Kahena,or head the other way
and see friends in Orchidland or HPP.
Some days I just prefer not to drive. It's Hawaii. Let's enjoy not being in a car all the time.
Even walking on the shoulder doesn't feel safe which is mainly why I'm writing this.
Make it safe for bikes and golf carts. Lots of people would be thrilled if you did this.
I think if you make it safe for bikers a lot of people will do it.Just watch the amount of traffic decrease. Bottom line if
people feel safe on bikes and golf carts they'll use them rather than take their car or truck.
I also think golf carts/bikes/pedestrians could use the shoulder along HWY 130 with just some minimal widening of the
shoulder and possibly a few small barriers, or a continuous barrier with some occasional gaps to keep trucks and cars
from hitting you.
My idea on the barriers by the way are something I saw in the Netherlands and also on this bridge and sidewalk in North
Carolina. Use plantar boxes.Yes. Have plants growing along the side of the highway(on the shoulder of course)to
separate the cars from the people biking,walking,or golf carting. It looks pretty and makes shade as well.The
community would love it. It would look like the government cares about the planet and gets it. Perhaps bamboo. Perhaps
coconuts. Maybe an assortment of things that looks pretty. I would bet people would volunteer to help plant these. I
guarantee you they would.
Think this through.Think of the environmental impact this would have. Golf carts easily run on solar charged batteries
and make no pollution. Bikes and e-bikes and e-scooters could use this lane on the shoulder too. No pollution. It's
cleaner air and less noise. It's Hawaii.Tons of people already have solar to charge batteries.
I would volunteer my time to help build this lane,and would gather signatures if needed.
I really think this is a good option no matter what you end up doing. Plus this isn't a land grab. No one's going to lose
their farm if you do this. rr
Comm. No. S. 9
Ref. To:
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Really the only law you'd have to change is making the speed limit on the shoulder 20-25mph for golf carts.Then give
bikers and pedestrians right of way and make bikers use bells to warn people their coming. Or have bikes on one side of
the road and golf carts on the other side. Or just save money and have it on one side only. Up to you.
I will say I'd be disappointed if you ultimately end up asking people to sell you their land so you can build a new HWY. it
doesn't seem right.
Let's try to be nicer to the planet and relieve some of the traffic pressure with this simple solution.
Also I should mention I'm disappointed the national EV credit of$7,500 can't be applied to golf carts. Do we really need
to get places super fast in Hawaii?Golf carts and bikes are perfect for short trips and getting around the city. I've lived in
beach communities and lots of people get around town on golf carts. Do we really need everyone to spend 60k on a
Tesla? Do we really need more big pickup trucks in Hawaii? No thanks. Look at what highway and car culture has done to
the mainland.Just look at how ugly that is. Close your eyes and imagine being stuck in traffic and smelling fumes for a
minute. Not a pleasant thought is it?Oh look a McDonald's.Yeah. Gross. Bring back Aloha please.
I for one can't afford that Tesla or huge truck,and as government officials you have the responsibility of making choices
which save the planet not harm it more. Incentivize clean air transit for the sake of your children's children.There is no
planet B.
One last thought. If you're having trouble deciding where to make a new road if that's the route you end up taking. First
consider not a road at all, but rather a bike path. A path that's paved so people can really fly on their ten speeds, roller •
blades,skate boards etc.Then mulch along the sides say another 4 feet for the runners, baby strollers and dog walkers.
To sum up my thoughts. Bike paths>highways.
Sincerely,
Jacob Kemper
Hapuu st Leilani.
Sent from my iPhone
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