HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0208.000 1996-1998 P,~;, ,
n
March 6,199 On
7Waim.ea Outdoor Circle zo ~
~C F. Il
Mr. Bruce McClure ~ ~
Department of Transportation • State of Hawaii ~ -v
50 Mahaala Street - P.O.Box 4277 ~
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
CJ
RE: KAAWALII GliLCH (Project No. 19H-03-95M) cn
(see enclosed article in WEST HAWAII TODAY)
Dear Mr. McClure,
It is without pleasux•e that we have to tell. you "we told you so". However, we
all knew, sooner or lacer it did have to happen.
We can be thankful that the young anara driving his truck was not hurt when
the land slide hit his truck in Kaawalii Gulch on. Tuesday afternoon. After all,
when the hillside was denuded there was nothing to hold the saturated soil
and keep the rocks and earth from falling.
We are also grateful that the trees were destroyed in only this gulch and not
in all three of them. At least now you and your experts have time to step back
and think of a better way to guard the public's safety. After all, you now have
proof' that by destroying all vegetation you neither enhance the safety of the
public nor the beauty of our scenic highway. You also open the State to
liability. And liability is always the most convincing argument for ur against
anything these days, isn't it?
And please be aware, horrific metal netting plus ugly fences won't da the job
either. Taxpayers money will nut be well spent by investing in either or both
of them. Prudent planning during these most difficult times of fiscal restraint
should make you think twice whether and how tc spend the $4 million of tax
dollars you are talking about.
The Waimea Outdoor Circle is most concerned. We are committed to protect
the natural resources of our beautiful island along with each and everyone's
safety. Please do let us know about your plans on how to remedy this terrible
situation. We also want to be informed about yo epartment's plans for
the other two gulches.
f
Sincerely,
Ka rin G. er, President
Gams. Dio~~n~~
Fire ._.__~T!a
Y.O. BOX 6144, KAMUELA, HAWA[I96743-6a4q Ref. 'i c:.____
1tYf. I;:.a,, MAR } 199TH
Mr. Bruce McClure
KAAWALII GULCH
Department of Transportation -page `L
CC:
Governor B. Cayetano
Mayor Stephen Yamashiro
Senator Malama Solomon
Councilman Dominir, Yagong
Councilman John Ray
Mr. Harry Kim
Mr. Michael Wilson, DLNR
Mr. Hugh Uno, Department o1' Transportation
The Hilo Uutdoor Circle
South Kohala Safety Committee
Waimea Community Association, Mr. Yrcer Young
•e
u.,~r~~
• ~dsf1 Wrei 4/f!7 .
Blg Island Brie#s.
Truck dammed in landslide
A Suisan delivery suck wn ged in ~ landslide 1Lesday a(lemr¦m
along Hawaii Belt Road al 14awalii Gukh in Nash Hib. according io e
written police repot
Nash Hib patrol olfirsrs determirrod that the rwxth-hoard truck wee
~ hit by several large boulder Uut came hose from the earl bank hecauar
~ of rains throughout the day. Seven boulder bro~ie hose shortly before 2
p.m. and cbaed both laces of the highway for xveral boon.
The driver of the truck. Bemtett Flece, J2, of Pyraikou, exaped Injury.
hot the truck taWained 37.000 in damages.
County aad state wok aewa, udder the dittcdon of Hawaii Coumy
:.~7vilwDefense stac Hy~~(ry K1m, ek~aeed the highway by S p.m
1 ~I ~ Y r ¦ ~ ~~r1 ~