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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0572.006 2002-2004 HAWAII ISLAND BOARD OF REALTORS, INC. To. Councilman Mr. James. Y. Arakaki, Chair and Council Members From: Hawaii Island Board of Realtors REALTOR® Subject: Bill 254 - A $40 million bond to finance road and highway projects. 26 Waianuenue Avenue May Srh, 2004 2ECEfv t'9' Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2440 Phone: (808)935-0827 Dear Council Members, ~ 6y~.._~. Fax: (aoe) s35-as2a oare._._.-- . js -o- E-mail: hibrC~hibccom ~'punry C.ound~ This testimony is to offer our strong support of Bill 254, an initiative which we see as a significant and necessary first step in providing a solution to the widely publicized and President critical traffic issues in West Hawaii, Puna, and South Kohala. We commend the County Ken Kjer, R and Council members for hearing and acting upon the public outcry for the overdue highway constructions and improvements.=- especially in West Hawaii. President-Elect Adele Eggel, R,CRS,GRI We would also like to propose some additional features in this legislation that may alleviate vice President some concerns that exist, (in West Hawaii at least), about the capacity of the existing Georgia "Gae" Callaway, R,GRI infrastructure to handle the "Planning and Execution" of the activities this Bill is intended to finance. The Bill reasonably cites the "Keahole to Honaunau Regional Circulation Plan" as secretary the basis for the West Hawaii planning and execution. While this plan does represent a Heather E. Hedenschau R.GRI,CRS useful reference, its scope (and objective) were never intended to provide the direct basis Treasurer for immediate action. It is fairly general in nature and approach and it really only addresses Sharon Moffat, R,ABR,CRS,GRI the longer range needs of our community. At the same time there is a level of urgency in West Hawaii that demands action in the short term to ensure that these funds provide some Immediate Past President relief from congestion in the foreseeable future. Rick Barbati, R, CRB, CRS, GRI Therefore, with the above consideration, our suggestions focus on these points: Directors: 1. We strongly urge that there be created within the county organization, a dedicated West LindaCaleo, R,CRS,GRI Hawaii Planning and Execution team to cover the now critical road/traffic issues. Without Edith Crabb, R, CRS,GRI, such dedicated infrastructure we are concerned that the capacity for action utilizing the Sandra Hegedeldt, R funds from this Bill and the other funding sources will simply not be available and the funds Susan Decker, R will remain unspent ,lapse, or be redirected. This dedicated team would need to have the Kelly Moran, R,GRI Arabel Camblor, R information, power and authority to ensure they can act effectively. Edward J. Rapoza, R 2. The elements for public input into this process already exist and should be used. We would propose that the Mayor/Council appoint a Task Force to assist the Planning team with the provision of priorities. This Task Force should be drawn from existing and active Executive officer Adrienne M. Notley organizations. For example: The Traffic Safety Committee, The Chamber of Commerce, The Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference & The Governors Advisory committee. Such a Task Executive Assistant Force may also assist with the coordination between County and State Planning for Roads Lovelyn A. Boranian and Traffic that often appears to be missing. Diane Weigand With regards to Section 14 of Bill 254, there are, of course, a series of State, County and Developer projects that are "on the books" and which, when completed ,will significantly improve the West Hawaii Traffic issues. These have been set out by the Deputy Managing Director for West Hawaii under the headings of "In Progress" (but still not actually started) and "(Future) Priority Projects". This has been widely circulated and is the obvious base for REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark prioritization. We do believe this list covers many projects but would add the (long which may be used only by discussed), Improvements to Palani Road including the provision of sidewalks, and the real estate professionals who completion of the "connector" streets to the new roads. ^ are members or the 1_~~ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Comm. No. ;f OF REALTORSCw and Ref• To; Prsse~?~i subscribe to its strict Code Ref. Date MAC of Ethics. HAWAII ISLAND BOARD OF REALTORS®, INC. REALTOR® 26 Waianuenue Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2440 Again we strongly support this legislation and congratulate the Council and the County for Phone: (608) 935-0827 this initiative. We also urge the adoption of amendments to the Bill to cover the concerns Fax: (808) 935-4924 We have Set above. E-mail: hibr~hibr.com Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Hawaii Island Board of REALTORS, Inc. Rick Vidgen Government Affairs Committee Member Mahalo to the following sponsors for supporting HIBR's programs in 2004. Diamond: BANK OF HAWAII REALTOR® is a registered Platinum: `American Savings `First American Title 'First Hawaii Title collective membership mark 'North American Mortgage "Wells Fargo Gold: Countrywide Home Loans 'Homes and Land of the Big Island "Title Guaranty which may be used only by Silver: "AMEBA Mortgage'Clark Realty Corp `Fidelity National Title Insurance Company real estate professionals who 'Housemaster `Island Title Maryl Realty "Security Title are members of the Bronze: 'Ala Kai Realty 'Big Island Inspection "Edith Crabb Realty'Family Mortgage "Finance Factors' NATIONAL ASSOCIATION First Hawaiian Bank "Hawaii Tribune Herald'Hilo Termite & Pest Control "Home Mortgage Professionals OF REALTORSO and "Homestreet Bank "Horizon Pest Management 'Lawrence Appraisal Group "Old Republic Title Subscribe to itS Strict Code `Peter Kubota `Robert Bloom Appraisals, Inc. "Royal State Group `Territorial Savings "Wes Thomas & Associates of Ethics.