HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0434.005 1996-1998 1
David S. Gilbert
Lori Adolewski
i .~_i 27 PI
II 2 [ i ]81 ; Hunnewell Strcct
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
f~~'~~'` ~ (308) 94C,-9804
L August 1997
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Flilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
fu (he Members of the County Council:
In response to Mr. Norman C)leseu's letter of 6 August 1997, as property owners and purt-
dine Iiawai'ian Acres residents, we have objection to the passage of the resolution in it's current
limn. We are concerned about the inevitable prospect of increased volume and speed of motor
cchide tral~lic along the improved emereency access road ur °County I [ighwtry". This follo~~-on
c((cct, after transfer to County ownership, repair and resurfacing of Road 8, incompliance to
standards, will have an adverse effect on the health, welfare and safety of all pedestrian and
bicycle users ofthe thorough-fare.
We built a home and lived in the Hawaiian Acres Subdivision Ibr ten years and are
wcsentl~ both completing graduate school at UII Manoa. From 1983-1994, ewe daily' used I<oad
3 fur walking, bicycling and/or commuting by car to Hilu along with many of our neighbors. In
clli~rts to minimize auto use and maximize an opportunih for exercise, we oaten bicycled from
home to our work in Hilo (HCC and I kilo Hospital) via this main traffic artery out of the
subdivision. 'fhe tranquility of this rural road oaten became anear-death experience Y~x each of
u. (and I I:no~+ for main of our ~~~alking. jog~,ing, and biking neighbors) when speeding cars and
~nid<s (also neighbors!) literally pushed us off the roadway. 'ho imagine an increase in talfic
Oova? y4 T~'n~ 3 Y o
14L lf~.._~y`1."C SGI,P
x~e. !o, rtea Co?NC-ir.,
mot. Dace 3_.
volume and speed along this route is to foresee a future injury and death for all ages of residents
and users of Road S. Without proper safety engineering and design concepts built into this
pn~ject from the very early stages of planning, there inevitably exists a nightmare of disaster Fur
the pedestrian and the bicyclist.
We plead For and propose that the resolution include a statement that designates the
importance of including adequate bi-directional walking paths along with adequate and clearly
designated safe bicycle lanes. This statement could read as follows:
"WHEREAS. the County of Hawaii recognizes the publids need for safe, clean.
environmentally supportive alternative transportation, physical fitness and exercise, (including
walhing. jogging and hicvcling) that can co-exist along a safe v~d pleasant roadway....."
"13 F, IT TI IERIiFORE RLSOLVI:D, ....that Lo16213A in Hawaiian Acres Subdivision, is
hereby accepted as a demonstration project of cooperation between the County of Hawaii and
the community of Hawaiian Acres. to build a County Emergency Access Road that supports
both the needs of the residents and the desires of the County."
Several areas should be addressed in the planning of such a project. Mentioned below are
only a few that could be expanded upon by members of an ongoing committee within [he
Huwai'ian Acres Community Association (i.e. the present Road Committee). Certainly we
residents will be living daily with the effects of restructuring the road and this opportunity to do
it well should not be overlooked.
1. Contact Mr. Mike Medeiros, Bike gnd Pedestrian Coordinator of the State
Deparhnent of'Transportation, Ilighways Division office (587-2177) and Mr. Ron Rcilley
(967-R60~) of the County of Hawaii Mayor's Committee on Bicycles and Pedcsll-ians to
insure the many safety aspects of planning for pedestrian and bicycle traffic are included.
2. Adcyuate drainage and rain nw-off that includes consideration for pedestrians and
bicyclist along side the traffic lanes.
4. Well-planned intermittently spaced "traffic calming" devices with careful design will
slow and case the auto-conunuters into controlled rural travel rather than highway spirited
competition. 'this can be accomplished with traffic circles or "go-grounds" similar to the
photos enclosed. ('These are liom a ncighbod~ood i? Seattle, WA.) Often speed bumps urc
annoying and dangerous as drivers attempt to divert around them. Signage seldom is
effective in un-patrolled areas and is an unpleasant eyesore.
Thant: you for your attention to this project and we look forward to your positive actions
improving our health- safety, and traffic concerns.
V v Sinccrcl~ ~~j
CA/~~ ~ ~ ti(.~
0(~u ~
Scott Gilbert
Lori Adolewsl:i
cc President, I Lawai'ian Acres Community Association
Chairman, County of Hawaii Mayor's Committee on Bicycle and
Pedestrian Planning
Director, llawai'i County Planning Department
1
.-i _
_ 1 w
F,.j ~
•~i a,
~
:v
a~ r~•~ , ~I, ,
h r4; ~ y~,.~ t v34"~
ry Tom'
r S
,#-'~r~r- ,ate,
~ 7 ~ ~
,e~
~~W
Zx
H: i~7 - -W
i.~
t
J~a~,
~ .
K
i
4 E[E[
T 1 1 a i.
r ~ ~ r
e! '
k'