HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0308.006 2002-2004
AUG-26-03 09:51 AM AMER IC9N HEART 909 4612927 P. 01
August 2b, 2003 ~ ,I-- f
TO; Coundl Chairman James Y. Arekakl `
5
Aupuni Street bars ' 03 RUG 26 4~~1 9 3 `i
Hqo, Hawaii 90760 i, ~ , ' .
VIA FACSIMILE: 808.961-6912 C0 ~ ~ {~,~~nlA+l
COUM~
FROM; Shauna V. Tuohy, lAncemetl Mountain Vlew Resident
RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY OPPOSING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT HUINp RpAD
My name is Shauna Tuohy, and I strongty oppose the tretTic signals that aro slated for Hulna Road at
Highway 1 i. It is my unden:tanding that the Initial approval far the aubtltvlsbn wea In 1897 and that the
plans Celled for the'dlannslizatlon" of Hwy 11 at Hulna Rd. There ware recant amandmerKS that
changed the language and Intem to inclutle'sipnagzetlon" on Hghway 11, which meana a stop IIDM will
be put into use, 1 am very Concerned about the traffik problerru this qgM wiq curate for the many
resklerlts above Hulna Road whose only thoroughfare to Hilo 18 Highway 11. I am all for safe and
afilclent tlrlving environmem for ail resklerns o/ Upper PunA and tFw Big laland, but the addkbn of yet
another traffic signal doss not seem like the best 801utbn to thia problem, w8hout some vlpDle akemativea
and planning in place.
bast year a traffik signal was erected for the Kamahemeha Schools Keeeu Campus; it was put in place
and realty took me by eurprlae because 1 hadn't been made aware that the signal was in the plane ofthe
school. My drive time to Hib before the IigM wag 23 minutes from Mountain Vlew; now, that soma drive
takes between 40 and 46 minutes. Last year txfarcthey'fixed" the traffic fights, k took 55 minutes to 1
hour to get to Hib for work, I tlonY know how that algnel was approved without communRy input but a
realty aitsaed Upper Puna's drive time on the road not to mentbn the trucks that are haugrp suppfles
from Ka'u and South Hawaii. Wkh gasogne prices on tha riae, and no aervkea such ac rubbish pick up or
mall carvice we are being forced to remain bnger on the road wRhout attema8ve routes,
Steinbadc Highway, which runs peragel tp HlghWay 11, needs to bs considerod as a viable agemate route
for Highway 11, and the Cars and trucks that travel therein. Perhaps the Hulna subdiviabn and
Kamehameha achoola could link up to StainbaCk antl aueviate the treffic on the main roatl. That route
would take tremc down to No. Hib Highway at Panatawa with 2 fangs that could possibly accommodate
the added traffic or perhaps q souk! link up somehow to the bypaaa I'roM ao that yet another qgM would
not have to be created.
Plannirp erxi foresight needs to tx our IslarMs pfarity. I would Ilke b ask for ack for publk hearings of
the zoning roquect so that those who are etfettetl by the piano will have an opportunity to speak out.
Please ContaG me If you have any questions.
5 rely,
v.
Shauna V. Tuohy -
P.O. Box 915
Mt. View, HI 96771 poatdt"fax Nota 7a7t ceu P a~
Home: 806-96t•2825 Ted S
Business: e0&961-2625
"email: sbusek®aol.com C0~ ce•
Pho o Phone e
~ ' -d$1
fJa. 30 .
Ref, To:
` Ref. Date
August 25, 2003
TO Council Chairman James Y. Arakaki
And Councilmembers
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo. Hawaii 96760
VIA FACSIMILE 808-961-8912
FROM Shauna V Tuohy, Concerned Mountain View Resident
RE WRITTEN TESTIMONY OPPOSING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT HUINA ROAD
My name is Shauna Tuohy, and I strongly oppose the traffic signals that are slated for Huina Road at
Highway 11 It is my understanding that the initial approval for the subdivision was in 1997 and that the
plans called for the "channelization" of Hwy 11 at Huina Rd. There were recent amendments that
changed the language and intent to include "signalization" on Highway 11, which means a stop light will
be put in to use. I am very concerned about the traffic problems this light will create for the many
residents above Huina Road whose only thoroughfare to Hilo is Highway 11. I am all for safe and
efficient driving environment for all residents of Upper Puna and the Big Island, but the addition of yet
another traffic signal does not seem like the best solution to this problem, without same viable alternatives
and planning in place.
Last year a traffic signal was erected for the Kamehameha Schools Keaau Campus, it was put in place
and really took me by surprise because I hadn't been made aware that the signal was in the plans of the
school. My drive time to Hilo before the light was 23 minutes from Mountain View; now, that same drive
takes between 40 and 45 minutes. Last year before they "fixed" the traffic lights, it took 55 minutes to 1
hour to get to Hilo for work. I don't know how that signal was approved without community input but it
really affected Upper Puna's drive time on the road not to mention the trucks that are hauling supplies
from Ka'u and South Hawaii. With gasoline prices on the rise, and no services such as rubbish pick up or
mail service we are being forced to remain longer on the road without alternative routes.
Stainback Highway, which runs parallel to Highway 11, needs to be considered as a viable alternate route
for Highway 11, and the cars and trucks that travel therein. Perhaps the Huina subdivision and
Kamehameha schools could link up to Stainback and alleviate the traffic on the main road. That route
would take traffic down to No Hilo Highway at Panaewa with 2 lanes that could possibly accommodate
the added traffic or perhaps it could link up somehow to the bypass light so that yet another light would
not have to be created.
Planning and foresight needs to be our islands priority. I would like to ask for ask for public hearings of
the zoning request so that those who are effected by the plans will have an opportunity to speak out.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Shauna V Tuohy
P O Box 815
Mt View, HI 96771
Home: 808-961-2825
Business:808-961-2825
'email: sbusek@aol.com