HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0330.002 2002-2004 09/16/03
Testimony iii Support of the Bus Loading Zone at Waiakeawaena
Elementary and relocation of the crosswalk and crossing guard.
Dian Mahoney, Vice Principal
Waiakeawaena Elementary School
2420 Kilauea Avenue ~
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 p_ pW I R 0-
981-7200
Waiakeawaena Elementary School is one of the few schools in the state bounded on three sides
by major streets.
In the six and a half years I have been an administrator at Waiakeawaena Elementary School,
traffic concerns have always been voiced by parents, teachers, students, staff, and community
members.
The Waiakeawaena Safety Committee, consisting of faculty, staff, student, parent, health aide,
and members of the Fire and Police Departments, has met to discuss ways to improve traffic
flow around the school and has suggested the following:
1. Move the bus loading area from the gym parking lot to the front of the school on
Kilauea Avenue to reduce congestion in the parking lot and those trying to turn on
Kawailani Street
2. Move the crosswalk and crossing guard from in front of the school and relocate them
at the Kawailani and Kilauea intersection where a traffic light is in use. This is
because vehicles speed on Kilauea Avenue all times ofthe day, drivers ignore
traffic signs; our crossing guard, Joe Lorenzo, has nearly been hit numerous times,
as drivers have ignored his presence in the crosswalk; he yanked a girl out of the
way of a car that was speeding through the crosswalk; had he not done that, she
would have been injured or dead.
3. Having "bus onl~~"pick up on Kilauea not only eases congestion at the gym, but
also on Kilauea fronting the school, by eliminating excessive parking along the
street by parents picking up their children.
Between 300-400 cars pass the school during 7-8 a.m. with most of them Hilo bound on Kilauea
Avenue. Obeying the law and common courtesy among drivers are needed to prevent people
From being hurt It will be safer at tha intersection, as the light can be seen from a .greater
distance and a pedestrian crossing sign is present. Q jj
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. ~pmm, Np, 3J0•
Ref. Torte ~
Ref. C)ate~