HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0121.005 2024-2026HEATHER L. KIMBALL
Council District I (North Hilo,
Hdmdkua, and portion of Waimea)
Phone: (808) 961-8828
Fax: (808) 961-8912
Email: Heather. Kimba11(_ahhawaiicountv. go
HAWAVI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 Aupuni Street, Ste. 1402.
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
DATE: March 11, 2025
TO: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair
Council District 8
FROM: Heather L. Kimball, Council Member
Council District I
SUBJECT: Transmitting Recommendations from the State of Hawaii Department of
Transportation and Hawaii Police Department regarding Bill No. 28;
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 2, SECTION
6-12, OF THE HAWAI'l COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS
AMENDED), RELATING TO PROHIBITED HIGHWAYS FOR
COMMERICAL BICYCLE TOURS.
Transmitted herewith are recommendations received from:
• Edwin H. Sniffen, Director, State of Hawaii Department of Transportation dated
March 10, 2025.
• Benjamin T. Moszkowicz, Chief of Police, Hawaii Police Department dated
March 7, 2025.
Thank you.
HK:dbk
Att.
U
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer -
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MA I 1 2025
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
EDWIN H. SNIFFEN
GOVERNOR
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DIRECTOR
KE KIA'AINA ^"�'�� `° "�`
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KA LUNA HO'OKELE
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Deputy Directors
Na Hope Luna Ho'okele
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DREANALEE K. KALILI
TAMMY L. LEE
CURT T. OTAGURO
ROBIN K. SHISHIDO
STATE OF HAWAI`I I KA MOKU`AINA `O HAWAI`I
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION I KA `OIHANA ALAKAU
IN REPLY REFER TO:
869 PUNCHBOWL STREET
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813-5097
DIR 1.11888
March 10, 2025
The Honorable Heather L. Kimball
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Councilmember Kimball:
Subject: Bill No. 28
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 6-12 of the
Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended),
Relating to Prohibited Highways for Commercial Bicycle Tours
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) appreciates the opportunity to provide
testimony on Bill 28, which proposes to amend Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 6-12 of the Hawaii
County Code to include Old Mamalahoa Highway, from its intersection with Mauna Loa Street
in Honokaa to 46-4265 Old Mamalahoa Highway, as a prohibited roadway for commercial
bicycle tours.
HDOT has reviewed this measure and offers no concerns, as the proposed amendment pertains to
county roads under the jurisdiction of the County of Hawaii. We defer to the County of Hawaii
regarding the regulation of commercial bicycle tours on county -maintained roadways.
Sincerely,
EDWIN H. SNIFFEN
Director of Transportation
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Afqvor
William V. Brilhante.1r.
Vanagnig, I jo-ector
County
of Hawai % i
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
141) Kapi"olani %trect
I filo, Hmui'i 96720-3948
18080.15-3311
MARCH 7, 2025
TO: HEATHER L. KIMBALL, COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
FROM: BENJAMIN T. MOSZKOWICZ, POLICE CHIEF A7$-
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENTAL INPUT; BILL NO. 28
Benjamin T. Yloszkowicz
Pnhce Chief
Reed K. Mahuna
Dejylo�v Police Chief
This responds to your memorandum dated February 19, 2025, requesting the Hawaii Police
Department's (HPD) recommendation on Bill No. 28, as to whether the operation of commercial
bicycle tours on the affected highways, or portions thereof, should be prohibited. Additionally,
you requested the HPD's opinion on whether the proposed prohibition be extended out to
Lakeland and the intersection of Old Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea.
Staff reviewed the proposed Bill No. 28 as well as the 'Proposed Prohibited Area for Bike
Tours.jpg" and "Extended Proposed Prohibited Area for Bike Tours.jpg" you provided.
Although there is no record of calls for service, as reported by H5m5kua District Captain Reynold
Kahalewai, relative to a bicyclist causing a hazard or being involved in a traffic collision on Old
Mamalahoa Highway between Mauna Loa Street and Highway 19 in the past three and a half
years, it should be noted that the road is very narrow in some areas allowing only a single vehicle
to traverse at a time. With traffic including large commercial vehicles going to and from the
quarry as well as ranch traffic towing livestock trailers, cyclists would face risk, especially at these
narrow areas and particularly those unfamiliar with the roadway.
Additionally, Captain Kahalewai noted that during an Ahualoa Association meeting in November
2024, residents reported "close calls" with bicyclists. The Ahualoa residents in attendance
unanimously encouraged that this Bill move forward.
Due to the roadway's limited width, traffic composition and riders' expected unfamiliarity with the
road conditions, HPD recommends adoption of Bill No. 28. Further, HPD supports the extension
of the proposed prohibition on commercial bicycle tours to the entire length of Old Mamalahoa
Highway from Mauna Loa Street to Lakeland and the intersection with Highway 19 in Waimea.
JE/dmv
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"I kmai'i County is an Equal Oppontinity 11roviderand Lmplt)Ner"