HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0138.044 2000-2002 -iy~(~/ Director r .
s ~
Dep Dir
a v ~ 1 _ Planner
' ' " 39 Poko Plat ersonnel
. ~ Kilo, HI 96720 ~
- ' ; - - ~ ~ : , i March 21, 2001 (,j'1,,,,w~~ `~~u j .
To the Editor
Hawaii Tnbune Herald
Your front page article on the question of ~vh~her the sceanic I~iiwai Street should be
open or closed to vehicular traffic omits a octant ffict: the excellent renovation of
the park was undertaken as part of a consei>rt eat between the County of Hawaii
and a federal judge. @Vhy was there a c ?The sad and embarrassing fact
is that the County was sued for having for years lY ignored the r eats of
the Ame~cans with I)isaba7m"es Act (ADA). The result is that the judge has required that
ALL Park 8z Recreation facilities be made le, far ffi excess of what the ADA
would have required if it had been obeyed in the fi place. This of course places a grave
financial burden on the County and its taxp
The park redesign was done in order to in a i~l°ity, a concept which does not
seem to be well uncerstood by spine. The ste~tcb in question chides wide, level
sidewalks suitable for persons who do not walk weIl or have to use wheelchairs or are
blind or have low vision. 'There is accessible p ' g in the center of it. There has already
been a case of an elderly gentleman who collapsed on the sid because he couldn't
make it back to his car parked near Ili
aon (d®es the need some more
lawsuits?). The also fficludes an access~le " g pier wltic~ as a truly rare feature.
It is my opinion that if the County decides to the road closed, at wail in fact be in
violation of the consent agreement and in cost of ,Another lawsuit wi71
ffievitably result and the County will lose in the ~d afrer further expense. Sieice work on
Li~aiwai Street is now complete, the only logical action is to open the street to traffic
immediately as it has always been. AlI Local resides and tourists alike should be able to
enjoy the area.
Adrienne S. Dey
Co Access Monitor, State of Massa
Tel/fax: 934-8580
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