HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.007 2000-2002 HAWAII
ISLAND
Economic
Development
Board
Ms Bobbie Jean Letthead-Todd PMB-261
200 Kenoelehua Avenue
Chair, Planning Committee Hilo, Hawan 967200666
Ph (8061968-5416
Hawaii County Council Fa: ceoe>ssfiars2
25 Aupuni Street e-mail clipper9inierpac net
webeite www hietlb org
Hilo, HI 96
Re GATEWAY CENTER, Kea'au
Public Heazing Jan 23, 2001 1.30PM
My name is Paula Helfrich and I am President of the Hawatt Island Economic
Development Boazd In 1996, HIEDB moved its offices to Kea'au, locating at the
former Ola'a Sugaz Mill Field Office HIEDB's philosophy at that rime, and
continuing today, was that Kea'au Town and its surrounds would become a center of
learning, agricultural distribution, and community services
- Wtth the advent of the bypass road (ROAD, NOT HIGHWAY(), the new Kea'au Htgh
School and Intermediate School, and the recent groundbreaking of Kamehameha Schools
Campus on the mauka side of Volcano Highway, we are achieving that critical mass as a
center of education
- With the advent of the a-beam processing plant, expansion of floral and nursery
production, several distribution centers at Shipman Park and expansion of other food-
processing facilities, and the virtual explosion of production acreage in none, kava,
papaya, taro and other high value crops, we aze on the edge of the critical mass to become
a commercial mazket distribution center
-With an increase in light industrial operations and regional population, it is essential to
establish and expand additional community- service centers for commercial and social
facilities such as banks, business services, medical clinics, retail establishments and
dining or entertainment venues which aze not available outside of Hilo town These
need to be available and expanded in Kea'au Town itself, and also on the adJacent pazcels
serving the Volcano Highway communities, Panaewa and Stainback Highway residents
-Aright-hand turn mauka-side VISITORS CENTER should be a priority order of
business, in order to educate visitors on the various scenic and cultural activities of the
region, and to attract visitors to visit the amenities and overnight accommodations in the
Pima District It should be noted that every successful Visitors Center on the island is
located at some nexus vantage point in order to attract attention and maintain tratFc
safety (Example Honoka'a Visitors Center at Tex Drive In)
Comm. No.
FYIe No.
Ref. To:
Rer. De+a JAN 2 3 7001 .
As a neighborhood resident and business organization, I also wish to make personal
observations about growth in the azea This development (and others) can definitely
benefit from continuing community involvement and dialogue about regional
opportunities and resources In many cases, there appeazs to be a general
misunderstanding of traffic flow and safety, especially the use of the Pahoa Bypass Road
I am constantly concerned with the tendency for so much of the traffic to speed at least
twenty miles over the published speed-limit of 35 (at the turn) or 45 (on the open road)
This has happened continuously since the road opened There should be discussion of
traffic calming devices and commitment to SLOWDOWN from Shipman Pazk through
the the second light up Volcano Highway, and from the Bypass Road Terminus through
the first light (Milo Camp Road) THESE ARE GROWING URBAN/SCHOOL/
INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL AREAS and can be attractively planned and safely
managed by consensus and continuing discussion
I applaud the work to date and look forwazd to further progress in the planned
rejuvenation of Kea'au Town Center, the addition of the Kamehameha Schools Campus,
Gateway Center and the Puna Mazket Center
Thank you for the opportunity tosubmit these comments
Yo s erely,
Pa la Z Helfrich
President