HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0715.062 2022-2024 P/Council
dill lb(
U14 T Y , °{ COMM.715
Hawaii County Council
Bill 131-24 for Puna Alternate Routes `� 2I
February 21, 2024
Aloha Kahakiaka Council Members,
I have lived on the Big Island since 1974, a Honolulu transplant, and have been caught in traffic for
several hours waiting for police investigations on Highway 130,the Keaau-Pahoa Road in the old days.
Back then those serious accidents occurred near the Keaau Transfer Station.
I do remember being able to drive from Keaau town all the way home to Kapoho after dark and only
passing a few cars back in the 1970s.This was before HPP and Ainaloa started to build up. We have to
realize that these subdivisions as well as Orchidland.are not yet fully developed, but at the phenomenal
rate they are going, it won't be long and we will have more traffic to deal with.
For the study, it would be important to get the police reports on where along Highway 130 and Highway
11 all the traffic accidents have occurred and the length of time it took our police, ambulances,tow
trucks and fire departments to clear the roadways again. It is emergency routes around these sites that
need to be looked at.
For lower Puna, between Shower Drive and the Keaau Bypass, on both sides of Highway 130, most of
the surrounding property is owned by Shipman and much of it appears vacant.Their testimony and
input is necessary in this discussion of building an alternate route.
Shipman could be encouraged to DONATE a roadway as it could also open access to their property for
additional agriculture leases.
Please excuse the late submittal of my comments, but I hope you will include it in your discussions.
Mahalo,
Jennifer Perry
PO Box 537, Pahoa HI 96778
Email:jperry96778@gmail.com
Comm. "o 15• "
Ref. To: 1 [[lLi lin
Ref. Dote IrEB 2 1 2024
From: Jennifer Perry
Sent: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 3:51 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 131-24 alternate route for Puna
Hawaii County Council members,
I realize this testimony is late. I was trying to find the zoom link and then saw I needed to request it yesterday
GENERAL COMMENTS:
1. During the 2014 lava flow that entered Pahoa, I was one of the teachers who requested a transfer from Hilo High to
Pahoa High. I live in Kapoho and did not want to drive to Kalapana and then up and around through the National Park
and down to Hilo to fulfill my classroom duties. If I was not given a choice by the DOE, I might have spent the night in
my classroom a few times a week.At that time the State and County were not only concerned about traffic flow, but
how to protect the section of the island cut off by a lava flow for police,fire and medical assistance. Even helicopter
pads and another boat ramp was being discussed to get people from one side of the flow to the other side
2. No one who has lived with the privacy and peace of being on a side road,wants to have heavy traffic going by their
property.The sooner the potential alternate routes are identified,the sooner the public and private landowners will be
able to weigh the costs and benefits.And the sooner the government can acquire the lands necessary for building a
road.
3.We could alleviate that rush hour congestion by alternating the school schedules. I notice a significant decrease in
traffic when schools are on vacation.
4.There are no easy detour routes along the stretch from Shower Drive to the Keaau schools.Traffic accidents have
closed Highway130 for up to 4 hours.
5. Looking at Oahu's freeway system, we can see how traffic is taken away from the residential areas for faster
connections. However, more land is then devoted to paved highways.
6. Reduce the amount of cars on the road with buses,trains, ride share programs, and even safe bicycle paths.
SPECIFIC CORRIDORS
1. Railroad from Kapoho to Hilo
2.Ainaloa Blvd to Kurtistown
3. Government Beach Road
4. For the upper Puna Kurtistown area, perhaps a roundabout at Kamehameha school and at Huina Road?
HAWAIIAN HOMES LANDS
1. Can there be a land exchange
2. Would HHL object to a train?Then they could control the access (station) locations
Thank you for allowing me to submit my random thoughts.
Jennifer Perry
PO Box 537, Pahoa, HI 96778
jperry96778@gmail.com
1