HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0562.003 2002-2004 Margaret J. Hoefer
73-4318 Keokeo Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96790
March 19, 2009
Councilman James Ara ka ki ~lL..~
25 Aupuni Street
Hile, HI 967zo 2004 [4flfl 1$ Pal 3 09
Dear Councilman Arakaki, Gl.,'_i ~
I am not prone to write letters, however the proposal to open the Keokeo
Street barricade and connect through to Holu Street has me greatly upset.
As a senior citizen, I carefully searched for the "right" neighborhood.
Among my many criteria, finding a home on a cul-de-sac or "not a through
street" was near the top of the list. I go for a walk every day along
Keokeo Street and have witnessed first-hand, several near-miss accidents at
the corner of Kaiminani Drive and Keokeo Street as it is.
Traffic on Kaiminani is horrendous now with obviously impatient drivers
speeding along with their hectic lives. There are several instances each
day when the very short sight-distance from this intersection creates
extremely dangerous conditions. The first is during the morning commute
when not only are there thousands of cars speeding up and down Kaiminani,
but school buses also that with their frequent stops, obviously frustrate
drivers in a hurry causing them to drive even more erratically. This is
further complicated when the sun rises over the top of Hualalai blinding
mauka-bound drivers.
The second instance occurs when school is through for the day and the buses
begin delivering children to numerous stops along Kaiminani. At each stop,
the buses activate their red lights which stops traffic in all directions
for the children's safety. I have seen how angry drivers become waiting to
get around these buses the first chance they get. And when they finally
have that opportunity, they speed all the way to the top of the hill. The
limited sight distance at Keokeo Street creates very dangerous conditions
today. Making this a through street is nothing short of a recipe for
tragedy.
The last instance is during the evening commute when it seems everyone is
far too anxious to get home and this time the setting sun over the ocean is
again blinding makai-bound drivers. And now all of the school children are
outside playing. Again, I fear for their safety.
I am told that you have another possibility of putting Holoholo Street
through and coaaectiag to Xaunila Street. To me, this makes much more
sense. The sight distance along Kaiminani at Holoholo Street is far, far
better and would be much safer for drivers and the playing children on our
streets.
Please Councilman, do not remove the barricade on Keokeo Street-consider
the safety of our children and grandchildren. I appreciate you taking the
time to read my letter.
Best Regards, G/9 r 1
Marg
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