HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0149.001 2000-2002 Councilman Curtis Tyler III Apri12, 2001
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street . ; , ,
Hilo, Hi 36720 ~ ~ ~
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I have read, with grave concerns, the four recent articles in the Tribune Herald by some officials, who most likely
daaam't Live iaa timis Oren, wanting to build a larger port in Hilo. I have no clotabt lam army aaximmel that such a project
would ia~raeversibly change the lifestyle of all the local Hilo people for the worse, especially for the residents of
Keaukaha and flanyan Drive.
Do those officials, so willing to drastically change our lifestyle realize that each giant tour ship of today carries the
equivalent number of people of two or three former maiels?
Since the increased docking of those ships into the Hilo harbor for the past two years we are already experiencing
bumper to bumper car traffic, increase noise pollution and air pollution. Even more alarming is the change in
behavior of many drivers. The aloha spirit has disappeared; they have become much less courteous and patient.
Every time one or two ships are in port, one can count up to five large Robert's Hawaii tour busses line up in a
procession going to or coming from the port of Hilo. In addition there are the other large tour bus companies:
Jacks' Tours, Polynesian Adventure, Green Travel and 'Tour using the same streets back and forth. Six additional
new names have appeared on tour busses within the short period of two years.
Kalanianaole from Kamehameha to the Hilo harbor has always been a busy street. Each morning till evening there
are the necessary processions of 18 wheel trucks going from or to the port carrying their cargo. Adding more
lanes to the existing ones will only be the beginning of the irreversible changes that the people in Hilo will have to
face in their lifestyle. The laid back way of life will be replaced by the hectic and often rude attitude found in so
many cities. These are cities with more traffic, more noise, and more people. l~iil® Ia$s still ~ cim~aace am®t tam go
tlmerc,
My family and I have already experienced the drastic changes to our way of life in a formerly small town in
California. There, some merchants and county and state officials with incredible SIB®RTSIG~ITEI~1®TESS
brought loads and loads of tourists, diesel busses and crowded shopping malls and streets. There was also new
construction of resort metals, and the inevitable traffic congestion and air pollution and overcrowding. To group of
"advisers" only focused on bringing more money to a few of the local tourist merchants. More money came,
but most local people who had experienced a more peaceful time moved out repelled by the overwhelming
drastic changes in their lifestyle. My husband and I moved to Hilo. ~Ve found a beautiful little town, full of green
parks, and people who seem to want to preserve the natural beauty of this area and its slow way of life.
Please, before you embark in such dramatic changes as to enlarge the tourist port in this little town with a history
of tsunamis, consult with all the people who will be directly affected. Do not allow yourself to be influenced by a
quick money fix, or by people who live somewhere else.
I am sending this letter to all officials that might influence the Port of Hilo expansion. Having experienced the
"future" of Hilo in another place I am pleading with you- do not ruin this beautiful rural town.
Sincerely, o~.Q ~v r r
Elfriede R. Wilkins Comrri. No. T /
20 Akepa Street Hilo, Hi 96720 File No,
I~r~~a C o v.vc.~ ~
Ref. To:~,.,,
Ref. Date AP R 3 2
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