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P.O. Box 565 <br /> Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760 <br /> August 20, 2002 <br /> Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chair, <br /> Hawaii County Council xtC.~ivtu <br /> Committee on Planning uir~o..____._______ By_ <br /> 25 Aupuni Street ~~t®~`~~~'°~~~?~ <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 County Counul P - <br /> n <br /> ~ r~ <br /> Re: Revisions of the component of Transportation to the 2002 County of Hawaii General Plan <br /> Dear Madame Chair and Council Members: <br /> Aloha! The island of I-Iawai'i teeters on the brink of either a continuance of poor planning or a vision of <br /> excellence regarding long-term planning for the future transportation needs of the populace. It is beyond <br /> cognition that the state of Hawaii DOT has been perpetuating the nightmare of the beginning's of a freeway <br /> system for the lovely island of Hawaii. I refer to the proposed `Kahului/Keauhou Parkway'. It has only <br /> recently come to light that the intent for its presumed future will be six lanes in both traffic directions. Also it is <br /> separated by only one mile to the proposed Hokulia `Mamalahoa By-Pass Highway'. Unfortunately the public <br /> has received limited information on these proposals; which bespeak of what is better known as a freeway <br /> system. I believe if the public were given accurate information, a unanimous decision would be against such a <br /> diabolical scheme to repeat the madness of a freeway system. Which has destroyed the beauty of the island of <br /> Oahu, choice agriculture land in Southern California and other beautiful places too numerous to mention. <br /> Additionally, the approval of the Shipman Corporation's proposed "Gateway Center", Planning Director Chris <br /> Yuen has stated that Highway 11 will be getting an additional four lanes in both directions (Kea' au to Hilo). <br /> Increments of increased lanes of highways are how the H-1 freeway system came into being. Examples outlined <br /> above: the proposed `Kahului/Keauhou Parkway', it being connected to the proposed Hokulia `Mamalahoa By- <br /> Pass Highway' anti the additional lanes to accommodate the increase in traffic due to the proposed "Gateway <br /> Center" a~-e the incremental steps that will lead to a freeway system hee-e on our beloved island. <br /> A positive alternative is what occurred in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Decision-Makers, in the late 70's did <br /> not want a new freeway. Even though land had been acquired, it was transferred as well as Federal funding into <br /> a Light Rail System (approximately fifty to seventy-five percent). The Light Rail plans required very little land <br /> condemnation. It is connected to hotels, arena, and convention center. Two thousand people worked (and <br /> continue as it expands) on the Metropolitan Area Xpress (MAX). Thirty percent of the workers are minorities. <br /> The information I refer to is from Jan Shearer, Manager of Community Outreach for Tri-Met. Ms. Shearer is <br /> also Chairman of the Planning Commission of the city of Fairview, which is adjacent to Portland. I inquired to <br /> Ms. Shearer if the Hawaii County Council needed help in implementing a `Light Rail System' can they contact <br /> her, she stated, "No problem, we will help... many professional people would be willing to help and assist. Just <br /> say, `We need some help on the Big Island, people of expertise: engineers, architects, and planners will help". <br /> The Big Island population has increased dramatically, as reported in the 2000 Census. Prediction of future <br /> growth is phenomenal--this is more incentive & rationalism that a Light Rail system is advantageous for the <br /> future and current local population; additionally for the Visitor Industry & to unite the East & West sides of the <br /> island. Light Rail Systems function in San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, St. Louis, Sacramento, Denver, <br /> Dallas, & Minneapolis. They are quiet & efficient energy-wise; I implore this body to revamp the proposed <br /> 2002 County of Hawaii General Plan, to implement planning for a Light Rail System. Please do not exacerbate <br /> `paving of paradise'. Wisdom & motivation must prevail in the revisions of the 2002 County of Hawaii General <br /> Plan please launch dividends for the future; transformation to vision instead of repeating the same errors & <br /> oversights that beautiful Oahu endures. Sincerely with Aloha, Bonr> ha_n_ <br /> a <br /> C Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink ~~'~rvwo <br /> Jan Shearer shearerjna,trimet.org - 503-962-2155 - 710 NE Holladay -Portland, Oregon ~'L'~' <br /> Ref. fio: _ <br /> <br /> _ . <br /> <br />