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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0413.000 2000-2002 ,_e~;6 g JAR'1ES Y. ARAKAKI Fl~oru: (8Ei„) 951-8272 ('hazy°,::;-N&PresrrirngG~jrcer f ~ FAX: (8€3u) 951-8912 ~ . i . _ COLTN~'Y COU NCl~i~l `r` ~ ~ ~ ~':~.==.11 county of tfm:~ni 'i Ha~sai'i C'ou.3'r1~v B.:>•'1%li,~zg 25 Au~u:i St~> Hilo, Hawaii 9€720 November 5, 2001 Leningrad Elarionoff, Chairman Public Works ~ Intergovernmental Relations Committee Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 SUDJECT: ALAdVAENA ROAD Dear Chairman Elarionoff: I have received a copy of a letter that is addressed to Public Works Director Dennis Lee regarding the poor conditions of Alawaena Road. I would appreciate it if you would place this letter on your next committee agenda. Since Al Cabral, Nancy Cabral, and Paula Helfrich has put their request in writing, we should give them an opportunity to come and state their case and get some answers from the Public Works Department. Please have your staff notify these people of the meeting date once this matter is placed on the agenda. Mahalo nui loa, . J es Y. Arakaki, Chairman awai'i County Council JYA/daw Enclosure cc: Al Cabral Nancy Cabral Paula Helfrich ~~Y ~~s E~ ~a 14~~a ids- n nrr; ~a oQi October 30, 2001 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mr. Dennis Lee ~taVi~ ? Y ~ ,V!t~,ll Director, Public Works County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: ROAD CONDITION -PUBLIC SAFETY Dear Mr. Lee: During recent months, we have monitored the road safety conditions in Waiakea L11ca stemming from the Nov. 2, 2000 floods. We have noted the allocation of resources to other areas which incurred heavy damages, and of course have supported the County's interest in ensuring safety, security and appropriate ingressJegress to affected locations. VVe were somewhat disappointed to discover that the most recent round of project allocations for flood damage and road repair did not include Alawaena Street in the upper reaches of Vdaiakea Uka which aflFects access to approximately 65 homes. This area was very heavily damaged in less severe stomas on August 13, 1995 and temporary repairs were made almost immediately. Although long planned and considered, major repairs to the mauka watershed section have never been implemented which are essential for appropriate flood control management of the Waiakea Stream. Since Nov. 2, 2000, we have had conversations with Stanley Nakasone, Bobby Gonsalves and most recently with Ned Hogan. We understand that the county will provide temporary filler to the large gaping trenches on each side of Alawaena Street in order to provide a relatively safe passage for vehicles traveling to a major family function on Nov. 10/11, 2001. However, these measures must be followed up by a more permanent solution to the constant and increasing flood conditions in the area which are seriously undermining road access, safety and public services in the area encompassing at least 50 homes (more than doubled in the last ten years) and thousands of homes and businesses in the lower reaches affected by the Waiakea Stream course. This issue must receive priority treatment for county, state and appropriate federal flood control resources. We recognize that long-teran solutions are not imminent, however, we are currently concerned that Alawaena Street presents hazardous conditions as follows: 1. Accessiblity for emergency vehicles which cannot safely traverse this road due to deep trenches, undermining and disintegration of the already narrow road bed. 2. Hazardous for two cars to pass safely anywhere along the road from Kalona Street to the top of Alawaena Street. This condition is further exacerbated by limited line-of--sight and unmarked dropoffs and ditches. 3. Although we appreciate the recently installed lighting, it simply illuminates dangerous conditions and does not solve the overriding concern of road safety. 4. Continued erosion of reported stream spread on several private properties which seriously impact private driveways, pasture runoff and increased road-bed erosion and damage. During the recent storm of October 25, 2001, approximately 12 inches of rain fell overnight, creating more flooding conditions and further undermining the roadbed. Sooner or later, these conditions will inevitably lead to a major traffic incident or complete impassability. As has frequently happened, access is limited and very dangerous especially for 2-wheel drive vehicles, those drivers who may be unfamiliar with the terrain, and generally creates a very poor impression of the area. We respectfully request your support and consideration for a comprehensive action plan to ensure area safety, security and public access. To review: - Please ensure that major ditches at the culvert are filled immediately (prior to 11/10/01). - Please reestablish pavement along the roadbed from Mala'ai to the top of Alawaena Street_ - Please establish a plan and timeline for comprehensive road widening, culverts, drainage and paving to County standards. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Yours sincerely, ~~~2~ l ~ , Al Cabral Nancy C ral Paula Helfrich 591 Alawaena Street 591. Alawaena Street 575 Alawaena Street 959-8932 959-8932 959-0888 cc: Mayor Harry Kim James Arakaki