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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0726.000 1998-2000 TO: Chairman and Members of the Hawaii Countq Council FROM: Keiko Bonk and the Residents of Sunrise-Estates: , 1 RE: AinakolMohouli extension . DATE: March 27, 2000 It has been brought to my attention that the Ainako/Mohouli extension will be going through Sunrise Estates. As I understand it the plan was put in place some time ago, but the funding has only just become available. The problem is that the residents of Sunrise Estates and the Mohouli Kumiai say they were not informed when the plan was adopted, and only recently found out about the extension and the widening of Mohouli. They would like a chance to have their concerns heard. They feel that there are better alternatives and the plan is now outdated and inappropriate. I have attached a letter from the residents of Sunrise Estates that details some of their concerns. The residents are also in the process of collecting signatures on a petition to ask to have these plans re-examined. I am requesting that my letter and the letter from the residents of Sunrise Estates be put on the agenda, and that we be notified of the date it will appear, so that the residents of Sunrise Estates can voice their concerns and ask questions of you. Since 80% of the funding for this road is Federal I have also forwarded a copy of this letter to Congresswoman Patsy Mink. Sincerely, /~~`/e~ - Keiko Bonk Comm. No. 7 Zb File No. y~,..~_~ Ref. To: Pf:'. Ref. Dste MAR 2 9 2000 TO: Chairman and Members of the Hawaii Counri Council FROM: Residents of Sunrise Estates RE: Ainako/Mohouli extension DATE: March 21. 20000 The residents of the Sunrise Estates subdivision and Mohauli Street Gave been told that there is a plan to extend, widen, and generally `timprove^ Mohouli Street. IT WAS THE INITIAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESIDENTS/PROPERTYQWNERS OF THE SUNRISE ESTATES SUBDIVISION THAT THE PLAN WAS TO: • Build a road that will run from the intersection of Kaumana Drive/Ainako Avenue, through the Sunrise Estates subdivision, and onto Mohouli Street. IT WAS THE INITIAL UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTENSION WAS TO: • Alleviate the traffic congestion on Kaumana Drive between Ainako Avenue and Komohana Street. • Give the residents of the Kaumana/Ainako areas a "straight shot" to Komohana Streel by bypassing the lower section of Kaumana Drive. IT HAS RECENTLY BECOME THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOHOULI STREET RESIDENTS THAT THE PURPOSE OF WIDENING MOHOULI STREET IS TO: • Accommodate the increase in traffic that will be traveling to Mohouli Street via the Mohouli Extension. (These residents were initially led ro believe [hat the widening of the street was necessary for the installation of the traffic signals that [hey requested to have installed at the intersection of Mohouli and Kumukoa Streets). IT IS OUR FEELING THAT: • The residents of the Sunrise Estates subdivision and Mohouli Street will be unfairly subjected to an increase in noise and air pollution due to the estimated amount of traffic that will be routed through the extension and onto Mohouli Street. • Other options are possible and should be explored in an effort to avoid having a large increase in traffic routed through these residential areas. CONCERNS OF THE RESIDENTS/PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE SUNRISE ESTATES SUBDIVISION: At the moment, a majority of the traffic that goes into the Sunrise Estates Subdivision is local traffic. As a result, the residents are familiar with the traffic that travels in and out of the area. However, it is feared that if a large volume of traffic is routed through the subdivision via the Ainako/Mohouli Extension, this will bring more attention to the area that might result in: • An increase in crime (if it becomes obvious to those with "not-so-good intentions" traveling through the subdivision that this is a working community and residents are therefore away from [heir homes between [he hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). • An increase in people "joy riding" through the subdivision. This could further result in the increase of "partying" on the empty lots by those who will become more aware of [he subdivision due to the extension. (The residents of this area already have a problem with teenagers drinking and having "romantic rendezvous" at many of the empty lots then leaving the "evidence" of their "activities" on the roadsides - i.e., trash from empty beer boxes, empty alcoholic vessels, used condoms, etc.). • Difficulty establishing an effective Neighborhood Watch system as a result of the increase in traffic traveling through the subdivision. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN THAT: • The eventual plan is [o widen Mohouli Strut down to Kilauea Avenue. (See attached map marked in red). • The rebuilding of the Lanakila Area indicates that the ntunber of children living in the areas off Mohouli Street is not expected to decrease in the near future. • School buses will continue [o collect return school-age students to the residential and school areas on Mohouli Street each weekday morning and afternoon for the foreseeable future. AS A RESULT, IT IS FELT THAT WIDENING MOHOULI STREET WILL BE DANGEROUS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: • There will be an increase in motorists traveling a[ accelerated speeds "down" through the residential section of Mohouli Street. • More traffic will be routed pas[ the churches, pre-schools and elementary school that are located along Mohouli Street between Kapiolani Street and Kilauea Avenue, as follows: • The Higashi Hongwanji Mission (on the corner of Mohouli and Kapiolani Streets) • The Chris[ Lutheran Chtuch and Pre-school (off Mohouli Street at Kapiolani Street) • The United Community Church and Pre-School (on the comer of Mohouli and Kinoole Streets) • The Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School campus (between Kinoole Street and Kilauea Avenue) • It will become more dangerous for students to walk tolfrom the school buses if more lanes of traffic are added to [his street. • An increase in traffic to these areas would increase the danger to: • Those who work at and attend the above pre-schools and elementary school • The School Cross-Guards who control traffic for pedestrians between Kinoole Street and Kilauea Avenue. THE RESIDENTS OF MOHOULI STREET AND THE SUNRISE ESTATES SUBDIVISION WOULD, THEREFORE. LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT: • The Ainako Extension be routed to the Ponahawai Exension via the section of land that is reserved for the Ponahawai/Kupulau Extension. (See attached map marked in green). RESIDENTS FEEL THAT ROUTING TRAFFIC FROM THE KAUMANA/AINAKO AREAS TO A PONAHAWAI EXTENSION WOULD: Accomplish the need to alleviate [he traffic congestion on Kaumana Drive (between Ainako Avenue and Komohana Street). • Route even less traffic through the residential area of Punahelc Street (between Kaumana Drive and Komohana Street) since those [raveling to business establishments on/off Ponahawai Street would no[ use the Mohouli Extension to reach their destinations (this would require motorists to backtrack to Ponahawai Street). • Give motorists from the Kaumana/Ainako areas a more direct mute to: • The soon to-be-developed Commercial area that is located at Ponahawai and Komohana Streets. • The medical facilities and business establishments [hat are located on/off Ponahawai Street and within the Downtown Hilo areas. • Two very popular recreation areas --the soccer fields and the canoe paddling area that are located on Kamehameha Avenue and the Bay Front area. • Separate the residential area of the Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates subdivision fmm the soon-to-be developed Commercial area on Ponahawai Street (Keeping these two areas separate would help maintain residential privacy within We Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates subdivision). • Route less traffic to the residential areas of Mohouli and Kumukoa Streets. • Give the fire and emergency medical services fmm the Central Fire Station that is located on Ponahawai Street access to an additional and more direct route to the Ainako/Kaumana areas. • Eliminate the need to widen Mohouli Street. . 2 IT IS ALSO FELT THAT BUILDING AN EXTENSION ONTO PONAHAWAI STREET (INSTEAD OF MOHOULI STREET) WOULD RESULT IN A SAVINGS OF TAX DOLLARS BECAUSE: • The distance between Kaumana Drive/Ainako Avenue and Ponahawai Street is much shorter than the distance is to Mohouli Street. ONE MIGHT SAY THAT IF MOTORISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE A PONAHAWAI EXTENSION FOR THEIR JOURNEYS TO THE CURRENT PONAHAWAI STREET, THAT THIS WOULD INCREASE THE TRAFFIC LEVEL ON PONAHAWAI STREET. HOWEVER THIS 1S NOT THE CASE BECAUSE: • Motorists who would use a Ponahawai extension to tmvel to the many medical facilities/business establishments [hat are located on/off Ponahawai Strcet are already [raveling to these establishments via the existing Ponahawai Street. The difference would be that an extension to Ponahawai Street would afford these motorists a more direct route to streets that they are already using to reach their daily destinations. However, motorists who currently travel to the areas that are located off Mohouli Street do not currently travel through the Sunrise Estates Subdivision to do so -they accomplish this by traveling via Komohana Street. Alleviating [he traffic congestion on Kaumana Drive by routing traffic through the Ainako/Mohouli Extension will require motorists to [ravel through a residential area that they do not currently drive through [o reach their daily destinations. As a result, the number of motorists who travel to [heir daily destinations via Ponahawai Street will not change. However, it bas recently been learned that the number of cars that are estimated to travel through the Sunrise Estates Subdivision via the Ainsko/Mohouli Extension will be approximately 15,000 cars per day! (This is provided that the I{aumana and Ainako areas do not grow in population). (See Attachment, Page I.4). This is causing great concern to the residents/property owners of the Sunrise Estates subdivision. SHOULD THESE AREAS EXPERIENCE A GROWTH 1N POPULATION: • Haw much more traffic will be routed though the residential areas of Sunrise Estates/Mohouli Strcet'? • How will it affect the air quality and noise levels of the subdivision? • Why would the "powers that be" want to route a large amount of traffic through a residential area when an established main thoroughfare, that is planned for expansion, is located just cone-half mile away`? The Environmental Assessment for the Mohouli Extension states, "t,;enerally speaking, roadway intersections are the primary locations of concern because of vehicular emissions associated with traffic queuing in congested conditions. The study focused on Mohouli/Komohana and Ainako/Kauntana intersections, because these intersections will be the most affected by the proposed project". (See Attachment, Page 3-7). • How is it that the study did not also focus on the intersection of Kukuau and Mohouli Streets that will be at the center of the Sunrise Estates subdivision? • Wouldn't an increase of 15,(810 cars per day traveling through the intersection have an impact on the air quality for the portions of the subdivision that will be closest to the Mohouli Extension? • Lf stop signs are placed on Kukuau Street at the intersection of Kukuau and the proposed Mohouli Extension: • Wouldn't the amount of cars queuing at this intersection have an impact on the air quality of this area? • Wouldn't the situation that currently exists at the intersection of Komohana and Kukuau Streets be duplicated at the intersection of Kukuau and Mohouli Streets as a result of the extension? • Wouldn't Sbe just as difficult for motorists to make a lefr turn or cross this newly-created intersection as it is for the residents to cross or make a left turn onto Komohana Street?. • Wouldn't the residents of Sunrise Estates now have two difficult intersections to cross in order to make a left turn onto Komohana Street in an effort to travel to the many business establishments, churches and schools that are located off Ponahawai Street, Punahele/I-Iaili Street and Waianuenue Avenue? • Isn't anyone concerned that this a residential area? 3 ONE MIGHT SAY THAT THOSE WHO PURCHASED PROPERTY WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION, KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PROPOSED STREETS ON THE MAP, SHOULD NOT BE COMPLAINING. HOWEVER: • Prior to purchasing lots within the Sunrise Estates Subdivision, a couple of buyers called the County Planning Department to ask about the streets proposed for the subdivision (i.e., the Puainako, Mohouli, and Kupulau Extensions). These buyers were told: • "Not to worry" because while these streets were on [he map, they were only "proposed" streets. and "would probably not be built within their lifetime." "They will never get the money for it." • After being told this, these buyers purchased lots within the Sunrise Estates subdivision believing that they had "nothing to worry about". • These residents/propetly owmers trusted that should future action be taken to build any of the proposed streets, [hat they would have been: • notified of the impending plans • given the chance to learn about the project(s) • given the chance to express their feelings andlor concerns • To the disappointment of many of the residents/property owners, things were kept rather "hush-hush". IT 1S DISAPPOINTING TO LEARN THAT: Of the organisations that "received a letter inviting their participation in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment" for the Mohouli Extension, the residents of the Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates subdivision did not receive letters inviting their participation. (See Attachment, Page 4-2). • How is it that these residents did not receive letters inviting their participation when it is those, who live in these areas, who will feel the greatest impact of the Mohouli Extension? • On October 8, 1997, a public hearing was held a[ [he University of Hawaii at Hilo regarding the Ainako/Mohouli Extension. Notice of this meeting was advertised in the local newspaper -The Hawaii Tribune Herald. (See Attachment, Page 4-2). • How is it that the residents/property owners of the Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates subdivision did not receive "letters inviting their participation" to this public meeting? • Shouldn't these residents have been shown the same consideration as the six organizations that were "invited to participate in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment" for the Mohouli Extension? • Since the residents of Sunrise Estates did no[ receive letters of invitations to this public meeting, as is evident in the Attachment, Page 4-2, most of the residents/property owners missed the opportunity to learn more about the project or to voice theirconcerns/objections. • These residents/property owners feel that if they had been contacted about the public meeting via a "letter of imitation", that they would have, at a minimum, written a letter regarding their concerns, if they had not been able to attend the meeting. • For those residents/property owners who might have been "out-of-town" when the announcement was put in the paper: • How could they have known that such a meeting had been called? • What would have encouraged them to adjust their schedules in an effort to attend the meeting? • What would have encouraged them to write a letter voicing their concerns, etc., if they were not aware that the subject was open for discussion'? How is it that the subject of 15,000 cars traveling through the Sunrise Estates subdivision was never publicly announced'? How is it that the subject of these 15,000 cars: • Was not mentioned in the Newspaper Article that was printed in the Hawaii Tribune Herald on October 5, 1997? (See attached newspaper article). • Was not mentioned in [he "Transcripts of Public Hearing" that was held in October 1997, that is included in the "Mohouli Street Extension Environmental Assessment"? (See Attachment, Page 1-4). MANY OF THE RESIDENTS/PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALSO DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE: • The Agendas that members of the Sunrise Estates Homeowners Association received that announced [he two most recent Annual Meetings did not list the Mohouli Extension as a specific item for discussion. • The Board of Directors of the Sunrise Estates Homeowners Association made no effort to discuss the Ainako/Mohouli Extension with the members in an open manner. 4 • At no time, during [he twv annual meetings [hat were held in early 1999 and 2000 were the attendees asked: • "How do you feel about the proposed extension?" • "What are vote concerns?" • "Is there airy way in which we might better help you understand [he importance of the project?" • "Are you aware that the Ainako/Mohouli Extension well route an estimated 13,000 cars through Sunrise Estates?" • At the 1999 Annual Meeting someone asked: "Why was the Sunrise Estates Subdivision going to be the only subdivision in Hilo that was going [o have a major thoroughfare running through it?" (This person had no clue as [o how many cars were expected to use this "thoroughfare"). The answer was: "Because i[ is needed to relieve the traffic congestion on Kaua~ana Drive. "I[ will be good for our subdivision". It will give us a "straight shot" to Mohouli Street". (At no time was reference made to the amount of traffic [ha[ is expected [o travel via the extension). The subject was then quickly moved onto other business. • The above events led the attendees [o feel that [he extension was a "tabu" subject. As a result, many of [he attendees did no[ feel welcome ro express their concerns and/or objections openly at the meetings. If the subject [he 13,000 cars had been mentioned somewhere along the line, perhaps this would have encouraged the residents to voice their concerns sooner. ANOTHER MATTER THAT IS UPSETTING TO THE RESIDENTS/PROPERTYQWNERS OF THE SUNRISE ESTATES SUBDIVISION IS THAT, SEVERAL REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HAVE A SET OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS PLACED AT THE INTERSECTION OF KOMOHANA AND KUKUAU STREETS. When a request was made at the 1999 Annual Meeting, the attendees were told [ha[ a set of traffic signals will not be necessary once the Mohouli Extension is built because there will be less traffic traveling in front of the entrance to the subdivision. However, the residents are concerned that this is not the case because [he Mohouli Extension will not cut back on: • The amount of traffic that travels from the Waiakea areas to the medical, private schools and business facilities that are located in the Ponahawal, lower Punahele and Waianuenue areas and back each weekday morning and afternoon. As a result. traveling across to Kukuau Street or malting a left turn onto Komohana Street from the Sunrise Ridge/Sunrise Estates subdivision, without a traffic signal at that location, will still be a dangerous feat. THE REASON THAT A LETTER IS BEING WRITTEN AT THIS LATE STAGE IS BECAUSE IT HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN LEARNED THAT: • Approximately 13,000 cars are expected to travel through the Sunrise Estates subdivision per weekday. • The residents of Mohouli Street have only just realized what the Mohouh Extension will mean [o their area. If these residents had learned about what the extension was going to mean to [heir area when the decision was made to implement the Ainako/Mohouli Extension, they might have voiced their concerns sooner. However, these residents were as much "in the dark" about what the extension was going to mean to [hem, as the residents of the Sunrise Estates subdivision were, regarding the amount of traffic that is expected to travel via the extension. IT HAS ALSO RECENTLY BEEN LEARNED THAT: • Another reason for [he Mohouli project, is to give motorists more direct route to the campus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. However, the residents of Sunrise Estates, Mohouli Street and the Hilo area would like [o know: • Why is it important to use Mohouli Street [o route Uaffic to the UHH campus'? • Why isn't Nowelo Street being used to route traffic from the Kaumana/Ainako areas to the UHH campus (e.g., the Campus Center_ Library, new athletic facilities, etc.?). The Komohana Street entrance to Nowelo Street is a beautifully designed street built to accommodate four lanes of traffic. However. iI is the dismay of many Hilo residents to discover that the recently completed extension of this street was not built to route traffic to a main section of the University campus. Many residents are angered to find 3 that the Nowelo Street extension leads to the back of the University dormitories, a few business offices, a small pazking area and back out to Kumukoa Street. AS A RESULT, IT IS FELT THAT: • Nowelo SVce[ could have been used to (or could be improved to) direct traffic [o the UHH campus by bypassing the residential azeas of Mohouli and Kttmukoa Sucets. • The current design of the Nowelo Street extension is nothing more than an elaborate driveway and a tremendous waste of the taxpayers' money. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN THAT: • Those who live in the Sunrise Ridge and Kumukoa Street areas are unaware of [he impact [hat the Mohouli Extension and the widening of Mohouli Street will have on their communities. • Do the residents of these areas know that the Mohouli project will route a large increase in traffic through their residential areas in an effort to give motorists a more direct route [o the UHH campus? • Do [he residents of these areas know that this could also be accomplished by using the recently built Nowelo Street? THE RESIDENTS OF THE SUNRISE ESTATES SUBDIVISION AND MOHOULI STREET HOPE THAT THERE IS STILL TIME TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS IN AN EFFORT TO MEET DESIRES OF ALL CONCERNED, AS FOLLOWS: • Route traffic from the Kaumana/Ainako areas to Ponahawai Street instead of Mohouli Street. • Install traffic signals at the intersection of Komohana and Kukuau Streets. • Install traffic signals at the intersection of Mohouli and Kumukoa Street without widening Mohouli Street. • Route traffic to a main section of the UHH campus via an extension off Nowelo Street in an effort to route traffic away from the residential areas of Mohouli and Kumukoa Streets. INDICATIONS ARE THAT, IMPLEMENTING THE ABOVE PLAN WOULD ACHIEVE AWIN-WIN SITUATION FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: • Traffic congestion would be alleviated on Kaumana Drive (between Ainako Avenue and Komohana Street). • The residents of the KaumanalAinako Areas would still have a direct route [o Komohana Street. • An Ainako/Ponahawai Extension would route less traffic through the residential area of Punahele Street (as opposed to an Ainako/Mohouli Extension). The fire and medical emergency services of the Central Fire Station would have access to an additional and more direct route to the Ainako/Kaumana areas. • The residential areas of Sunrise Ridge and Sunrise Estates could be kept "separated" from the soon-to-be developed Commercial area of Ponahawai Street (mauka of Komohana Street). • Building an extension onto Nowelo Street would route traffic to the UHH campus and bypass the residential areas of Mohouli Street and Kumukoa Streets. • Routing less traffic to Mohouli Street will hopefully keep the area safe for the school-age children who work, catch the bus, and/or attend school along this street. For the above reasons, we respectfully ask that the plan for the entire Mohouli Project be revisited, with the goal of having the Ainako extension alternately routed down to Ponahawai Street. Sincerely, THE CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF THE SUNRISE ESTATES AND UPPER MOHOULI STREET AREAS Contact person: Anna Lucas 969-6508 6