HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.000 2000-2002 TO COUNCILMAN DOMINIC YAGONG,
CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS AND
MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PRIORTIZED PROJECTS, COUNTY OF HAWAII
FROM: FRANCIS L. BENEVIDES, SR.
VOLUNTEER, TRAFFIC SAFETY COORDINATOR.
For many years I have introduced and suggested to the
Hawaii County Council to priortize many projects on the
County of Hawaii of primary concery~ especially in the
areas of hazardous conditions contributing to Traffic
Safety.
1. It has been two (2) years now that I have. approached
and requested construction of a Safe pathway for cyclists
and pedestrians at the area of East Kawailani at the inter-
section of Route 11 (Kanoelehua Avenue and East Kawailani.
The County Road Department did a little correction at this
area, but after conferring with the Public Works, the
Carpenter DepArtment, the Masonry department and finally
was introduced to the individual-in-charge of the Building
Department, T,wasx;assured that proper planning to correct
this problem would be taken care. It has been more than
eight (8) months that nothing has been done. There were two
incidents where two vehicles (one Truck) was forced to fall
into the ditch to prevent severe accident. Another incident
ocurred where a young man jumped into the ditch not to be
struck down by a vehicle negotiating the entrance to East
Kawailani, from Kanoelehua. The Street is too narrow to
allow vehicular traffic and commuting by pedestrians. I
did suggest a solution to this problem, but apparently was
not considered. Are we considering the safety of lives very
important?;~A~other factor in this area and on East Kawailani
Street is the water. drain Culvert Are all "plugged" with debris
and heavy growth thus preventing the flow of water, especially u
in times of heavy rainfall. ,_It is apparent that when this _
area was developed and a permitted street, there existed at ~
that time very "poor judgement and planning", in not taking
into consideration the problems and traffic hazard. Many ~ ~
motorists driving from South on Kanoelehua at this area and ~ ~ ~
attempting to makea right turn into East Kawailani are forced ~ ~
to negotiate this turn by using the SPnou1.;= -r.. This, a.ga
constitutes a hazardous G:ondition. I..am availabe if you need me
in resolving this problem that I was fortunate .to learn from H
my father, MANUEL P. BENEVIDES, SR., a construction Engineer ~ a~ ~ ~
in the 20's, 30's and even part of the 40's. ~ ~ ~
There is an old Axiom, "AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND
OF CURE". Let US not be forced in a Suit Proced u¦pr ~.egs~yyyy }per///^/)
-1- @e 4idi dSaA4 ~!~y L~°".
The State Highway Division have replaced the Intersection
Traffic Pole by relocating further in towards the shoulder.
Now is up to the County Public Works to do their part in
eleviating this major problem.
2. I have given Testimony regarding the ALenaio Stream,
and the problem that ocurred in the November, 2000 Rain
Storm that dev'_stated this area and the areas started from
the Komohana Culvert that ended in the present area by the
Soccer Field. Well, I did mention that the reason all the
rocks did contribute to the blocking of the `Stredr,' was
rrom ti7~ :newly constructed Mohouli By-Pass to the inter-
section of Kaumana and Uluwai Street. The excavated material
from this project flowed down Alenaio towards the ~CCER
FIELD area.
It is also apparent that the initial cost of the ALENAIO
Stream Project was too 'high' as it was not necessary to
construct at the height and width it is now. I have gone
back about One Hundred Twenty Five (125) years, and never
did the Alenaio Stream ever inundate the City of Hilo, its
streets and business areas. In fact, there was the OSORIO'S
!t;ER~hANDISE STORE at the corner of Ponahawai and Kilauea
Streets. Ironically, he stored hip merchandise at the base-
ment of the store, and never bnce was any damaged goods,
etc. The highest water ever flowed through this Stream
was three (3) to four (4) feet and it was very seldom,
The original Sugar Mill that was built by a Portuguese and
a Japanese was a Grind Stone type of sugar processing which
was located at the stream adjacent to the present Salvation
Army Building. I witnessed this feat of manufacture and
producing Sugar at the age of six (6). Later years it was
dissmantled.
Upon doing my own personal research and observation of the
area at the SOCCER FIELD, I discovered, as I did present my
testimony on one of the Council meetings earlier part of
this year (2001} that due to try Volcanic Eruption of !612
eminated FROM KULANI CONE and PIA'~NA LOA, the lava flowed
directly into the entiredowntown Hilo area including the
perimeters surrounding the City of Hilo and covered where
once was a White Sand Beach in the Bayfront area. Also,
the fact that the main flow through the Soccer Field area
was that of PAHOEHOE; consequently because this phase of
lava material, it is impossible to have a direct seepage
of the area. A note of interest, is that where the
statue of KING KAMEHAMEHA is there is direct seepage,
because of the "AA" rock base. A point of interest about
"AA" and "PAHOEHOE" lava F1oW is that whenever there is a
period of lack of rain or drought, several areas of the
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grassy spots are green. This means that there is
either an underground "Lava Tube" or an underground
"Lava Vein" which creates a moisture cooling under-
ground.
Suggestion foR the SOCCER FIELD is to have "soundings"
to penetrate into the "PAHOEHOE". After this is done,
there must be a disruption of this type of lava rock
to allow seepage through. After this is completed,
then there must be several soil build-up inorder to
have a very slight 'crown-like' surface, that it
will also have a complete drainage.
Another note of interest is that in 1998 when the
U. S. Army Corps:oF Engineers presented the plan for
the "drain-out of ALENAIO, they suggested flowing it
out to the Bay. The only thing iS that it was to
have a 'straight-out' flow to the Bay. At that time
I suggested a protrusion to the Hilo Bay but with a
Curved_Type outlet. This would prevent a "backwash"
especially when the tide; is high. OnE of the Council-
men of the County of Hawaii suggested the drain-off
into the 'little canal' flowing into the Wailoa Estuary,
thnce to the Hilo Bay. Incidentually, as one of our
present Council-person estimated Twenty Million Dollars
($20,000,000.00) for two (2) Bridges, one across
Kamehameha Avenue And the other Across the Belt Road
Highway, namely, ROUTE 19. I would recommend and
suggest A Culvert that would be constructed not as a
straight box type, but that of a 'slope culvert,
this will allow the flow to be more steady without
being blocked by debris, etc. My estimated cost of
this type of construction that will not entail a
bridge would be in the neighborhood of Eleven Million
Dollars ($11,000,®BO:OOP.
2. After the completion of the KOMOHA HANA BRIDGE I did
some inspection of the area, and found an area that
was not taken into consideration of the 'flow-off' of
the drainage on the right side facing Hamakua that is
in the direct contact with the residents on the right.
The problem that is in question is that there are no
'buffers' constructed to prevent the excess flow of
excessive rainfall commencing from KUKUAU street and
continuing on towards the bridge. I would suggest
that there also be constructed of a 'retaining-wall
~ype of buffer'.
3. The Lihiwai-Liliuokalani Gardens. I am very sure
that you have already taken into consideraionn the
testimony relative to keeping this area closed to traffic
by that I am referring to vehicular traffic. It seems
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that no one listened to the true testimony that I pre-
sented referring to the original intent and purpose of
this 'GARDEN'. The Session Law of 1917, Act 53 had
declared this area as a "PUBLIC PARK" and named it the
LILIUOKALANI PARK. It was not intended to have an access
shoreline roadway, but because there were no accesible
roadway or street to the then original NANILOA HOTEL,
and the fact that this hotel was the only one in existence
at that time. Now that we have the BANYAN DRIVE along
the "ICE AND COLD STORAGE BUILDING", there is nc heedfor
this shoreline roadway. Apparently those who Are pro-
ponents of opening the park. Well, all I can summ~ze is
that we will not be sorry that someone will undoubtedly
be the victims of a traffic accident. If for your wild
imaginization that the motorists will take heed of the
established speed limit, even with 'speed bumps', you are
absolutely wrong. Incidentally, the S. L. Act 53 of 1917
was never rescinded or repealed even after we voted to
accept HAWAII as a STATE. As I mentioned, I have had an
opportunity of relating the History of this Garden, and
the reply I received from all of the visitors was, "please
let this beautiful Garden remain as it is, we enjoy its
beauty and tranquil atmosphere. To drive through this
Garden if it is open to vehicular traffic 'just to see the
beautiful bay, they can have a better view along the Bay-
fron area and highway. When are we going to stop destroying
this area that enhancing the beauty of Hilo. In observing
and while walking this area, I noticed that the walk-ways
have a crushed rock surface (#3 Rock). This is very much
a danger to the commuters that walk this area via this
route, especially the dissabled who cannot go through on
rock surface. I would recommend concreting it completely.
4. In the past, I have at many occasions presented to the
BIG ISLAND TRAFFIC SAFETY COUNCIL, the PUBLIC WORKS OF THE
COUNTY OF HAWAII, YES, AND even At the last years of the
County of Hawaii BOARD OF SUPERVISORS for an outdoor Arena
to afford the youth in wholesome recreational activities
instead of having them occupy the streets and parks of
our City. Apparently, it was considered as non-feasible.
I am very certain that this type of recreational areas
will contribute to youthful criminal activities. 'Let us
prepare our youth as gainful respectable 'citizens' as
_lPa~~rs of tomorrow We are responsible for the Behavior.
of our youth and their disciplined ways. Many years ago
I also introduced "AN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL MUSEUM",The
purpose was to have all of the cultures that was introduced
th. County of Hawaii and have it placed in this MUSUEM.
There would, of course, be an admission fees. These fees
wo~~ld be ear-marked and used for the education of our under-
~ri.vileged children. Again, it was the decision, NON-FEASIBLE.
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5. The writer states very candidly and frank that the
Street Lighting is the most hazardous to commute on since
the Orange lighting conflicts with the regular inter-
sectional light-change-variance. As one motors through
the streets, whenever it rains, there creates an image or
images from above reflected on the clear surface of the
"Black Macadam Surface". In the past years the Mercury-
Vapor Lighting was very effective for the street lighting
but, the Astronomists declared that this type of lighting
effected the TELESCOPES on top of MAUNA KEA. There is one
note or irony, every County and State Parks still display
the Mercury-Vapor Lights, My question, "If this type of
lighting effects the Telescopes, how come the same type
of lighting does not effect the telescopes?" Of course,
I was also told that the Orange-like type lighting is more
a lesser cost to the County. I recommend that a more and
better type of direction towards this problem and a better
type of lighting be looked into. I realize the great cost
for such a venture. Relating to this type of lighting,
there is also the contributing factor that makes it very
difficult to operate a vehicle at night whenever it rains
a lot. The black macadam is a base "like a mirror" in
causing images as reflections since water as it settles
on the black macadam is very clear. I tested a Grayish-
type of surface and is does not create images as the black
macadam. Again, I realize the tremendous cost in changing
from the black material to a grayish material.
6. An item of grave importance, yet very hazardous is the
installation of the 'walk poles in the center of the side
walk on a cross walk or intersection with traffic lights.'
It is very dangerous since the Sidewalks are to be used
for pedestrians. Why couldn't be erected on the back
boumdary line of the sidewalk or on the curb?? I am citing
an incident where a young man used the sidewalk to paddle
his bicycle and crashed onto the pole. He refused medical
treatment because as he state: I am not supposed to ride
on the aidewalk. In listening to him. I realized that it
would have been more hazardous for him to uae the edge of
the highway. He would then be in direct contact with the
heavy-speed traffic (motorists). I am no' casting any type of
aspersions on our County and State Engineers since they
re required to conform with FEDERAL and STATE ENGINEERING
SPECIFICATIONS. Again, I suggest a complete survey and
observation (physically and not behind the desk be done),
7. Pedestrian & Cyclist Lanes. Especially on KANOELEHUA
HIGHWAY, some decelerate lanes conflicts with the cyclists
and motorists especially on an intersection. I suggest for
future roadways and highway construction, every consideration
be given for 'safe' lanes for these commuters. I have also
noticEd that the streets, roads and highways are constructed
on a level=surface. This does not allow drainage of the
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surface of the highway, etc.; consequently creating puddles.
Suggestion: In the future whener there is a resurfacing or
any ;'new' construction, that there be a 'crown-like center'
that would drain the flow into the 'storm-drains' or the
culverts.
8. Shoulders on Streets, roadways and highways. Throughout
the City of Hilo and also the entire Island, I have noticed
many areas where there is very little shoulder, if any for
pedestrians or cyclists. TERRACE CIRCLE at Kaumana is an
example. Nothing have been done to correct the problem. At
one incident, I was motoring in back of the County School Bus
travelling on the same street that I was on. As it made the
right turn into the upper Terrace Circle, it missed six (6)
inches from the ditch. If any area needs 'looking into and
correcting' is this area. There are numerous areas that
the shoulders must be constructed to standards, nanely, seven
and -a-half wide. Another important area that study must be
made, is at the CHO[~ STREET intersection (by the Bridge).
Inspecting that area, I discovered that there is a walkway
approaching the Bridge at the entrance to CHONG STREET, then
it stops at the entrance of the bridge. Pedestrians are
forced to walk on the main highway;' coming into direct
contact with motorists.
9. Storm-drains. There seems to be a very serious drainage
problem of the area of LANIKAULA STREET (WEST) eminating
from the University of Hawaii Dormitory and straight down to
Kinoole Street and thence to Kilauea Avenue, I have made
on-the-spot inspection of the storm drains especially on the
left side of Lanikaula Street continuing down to Kilauea
Avenue. Because of the very narrow entrance to the storm
drains, whenever it rains a lot the water flows very fast,
thus causing inundation or flow into the residents below,
even to Kilauea Avenue. The area from Kinoole Avenue to
Kilauea Avenue does not have any sidewalk that would son-
stitute a storm drain. The residents as I have observed
on a rainy day are forced to place sand bags at their own
cost to prevent the flow into their property. Again, I
would recommend that a serious planing on this area be taken
to correct the problem. One recommendation; a wider-'
of storm drain entrance with a horizontal bar.
10. Striping and Reflectors. This is a very serious problem.
It took me twenty-five years constantly reminding the County
Council of the past and the State Highway Division to install
reflectors on the center of the streets, roadways and highways,
also on the edges. finally about eight (8) to ten (10) years
ago, someone in the State listened and finally Governor JOHN
WAIHEE alloted a Four-Year funding starting with ROUTE 130.
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dater I made a request to the COUNTY COUNCIL for the same
type of reflectors on all ~punty Roads, etc., which it did
become a reality. Suggestion: Continue reflectorizing the
Streets, Roads, Highways, and particularly reflectorizing the
Crosswalks at night so that it can be visible (again, the
black macadam being the contributing hazard in not noticing
the crosswalks. As for Striping, I would discontinue using
Plastic Strips as motorists 'tear' it apart by speeding and
'burning rubber'. It was the decision of the past Mayor,
after I approached him many times as to striping the local
streets. His remark was; "TOO COSTLY". I reminded him that
"What about the cost factor of Lives? Since then nothing
definite has been done to remedy this problem.. I definite
would suggest .that as long_as~'the roadway or street Chas a
two-lane right of way, it should be striped to differentiate
the center. There have many near-misses without the striping.
COMMENTS:
The above problems that I have stated are only some of the
many issues and projects that is presented for your perusal
and final action. I have endeavored to include in .this report
what I have observed, researched and suggested or recommended.
It is now up to all of you to weight the rightful decisions
in correcting any and all of the problems. I will a~wav~ ~P
there to assist the County of Hawaii in making the: Island of
Hawaii one of the most progressive and successful. We can do
it if the General Public cooperate with the County Council and
the Legislators. "The world is a big stage, we are the actors,
and we all are an integral part of this World". Let's work
together. Too much dialogue and less action will not solve
our problems.
For the benefit of the members, etc., of the HAWAII COUNTY
COUNCIL, I have spent four (4) days from 5/25/2001 through
5/28/2001 at the LIHIWAI/LILIUOKALANI Gardens in the entire
area. Average amount of people congregating there were about
100 to 150. 5/28/2001 there were approximately 200 people.
In questioning them,-it was the unanimous opinion that this
beautiful garden be left closed from vehicular traffic as
they want to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of its surr-
oundings without being in fear of being struck down by the
motorists if they, the motorists were allowed to drive on
through this garden. A note ~f fact is that the S,L. Act
53 of 1917 declared it as a "PUBLIC PARK". This law was
never rescinded or repealed to date. The only reason there
was an access road was to accommodate the passage to the old
Ndniloa Hotel. Now that we have the BANYANDRIVE, there need
not be a roadway for motorists to pass through. If ?ne
would like to view the beauty of the Hilo Bay, the most ideal
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spot or area i.s~at the BAYFRONT. Keep this area as a
Garden and Public as it was originally intended for, and
not a thoroughfare for motorists. 'Political interests
must not be the answer to this problem.
"SAVE OUR CHILDREN, SAVE OUR ELDERS AND ABOVE ALL. SAVE THE
MBST BEAUTIFUL CITY AND ISLAND TO MY PERSONAL PRIDE, IN THE
WORLD. LET'S MAKE IT TO CONTINUE TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND
ATTRACTIVE TO THE VISITORS." AS A FORMER TOUR GUIDE AND
DISPATCHER FOR THE DEFUNCT 'MACKENZIE TOURS', I was asked by the
VISITORS"how do v~u sum up the beauty of your Island? I
simply uciswered, "NEXT TO HEAVEN, THIS IS PARADISE:"
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
FRANCIS L. BENEVIDES, SR. ~ y
/FLBSR. DATED: May 29, 2001
CC: Mayor Harry Kim
Police Chief James Correa
Fire Chief Bumatay
County of Hawaii Director of
Public Works, Dennis Lee
Chief Engineer, State Highway Division
Pat Englehard, Director Parks & Recreation