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COMM.121
16 February 2025
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL: 25 AUPUNI STREET, #209, HILO.
Bill #28 February 1811, 11 AM - Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit.
Dear Members of the Hawaii County Council,
Concerns and comments of near misses between vehicles and groups of commercial tour bicyclists has
come up many times over the years at both Ahualoa Community Association Board and General
meetings. A 10 mile stretch beginning at Lakeland and ending at Mauna Loa Street passes through
approximately 4.5 miles of our community's main throughfare of Old Mamalahoa Hwy. The fact that this
same 10-mile stretch becomes the detour route for HWY 19 in times of fatal accidents or downed trees
on HWY. 19, accentuates the additional risk of possible accident between cyclists and vehicles.
Ahualoa is an agricultural farming community, and many of the residents have large trucks towing empty
or loaded, trailers of cattle, horses, or agricultural supplies and equipment toward Waimea or Honokaa
to Hwy 19. The incomparable beauty of this 10-mile portion of highway can seem very peaceful and
remote, but can become a treacherous route when combined with 1 or even 2 vehicles, traveling around
a corner at the same time as 1 or 2 and perhaps even three of four bicyclist riding side by side through
the beautiful countryside. Add to this, the quality of paving on portions of this highway can be such that
vehicles can be found riding or crossing the center line to avoid potholes and sections of deteriorated
asphalt.
It should be noted that when these trucks and trailers travel past Ahualoa on Old Mamalahoa Highway
toward Lakeland, they join the many Quarry trucks whether empty or loaded, to make their way to Hwy
19.
The Ahualoa Community Association held their General Association meeting on 11-21-2024 and a
serious discussion commenced once again on the question of voting to restrict or allow commercial bike
tours on Old Mamalahoa Hwy through Ahualoa. The consensus was that it will be a matter of time
before a cyclist, vehicle driver or passenger is seriously wounded or becomes a traffic fatality statistic.
A vote was made and passed that our community agreed that we should vote to restrict the use of
commercial bike tours in the Ahualoa area. The Ahualoa Community Association supports Bill #28, which
states "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 2, SECTION 6-12, OF THE HAWAII'I COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROHIBITED HIGHWAYS FOR COMMERCIAL
BICYLE TOURS. Old Mamalahoa Highway, from its intersection with Mauna Loa
Street in Honoka'a to 46-4265 Old Mamalahoa Highway at the department of
water supply water tank."
Several members agreed to testify, either by writing, via zoom or in person. We are concerned for our
safety and the safety of others.
Ahualoa Community Association