HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0297.001 2004-2006 K Angel Pilago tv w Phone No.: (808) 327-3666
Council Member ~s Fax No.: (808) 329-4786
District x -North Kona E-Mail kapilago@co.hawaii.hi.us
•••a•M'+ ~ ~ I ,
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Kui[ua Trade Center
75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite !09
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 15, 2005
TO: Stacy Higa, Chairman and
Councilmembers
FROM: K. Angel Pilago
Planning Committee Co-Chair ~ r ~~l
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION 110 OS
SUPPORTING KONA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
AND ITS EFFORTS FOR 7'HE IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT OF
MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 1 l AND 28
As discussed at the Council meeting on June 15, 2005, this is to transmit the list of
recommendations presented to Governor Lingle and the State Department of Transportation by
the Kona Traffic Safety Committee.
My intention was to keep the resolution broad-stroked and generic in its fonn so all oi~ us
would be able to support it and focus on the vision and purpose.
Therefore, the language in Resolution 110 OS supports Kona Traffic Safety Committee
and its community based efforts and asks the State of Hawaii to implement the measures where
feasible.
Att.
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Comm. No.
Ref. To: Prasenh
Ra#. Uate ~ ~U 2 ~ 2~
Hawaii County Is An Equa/Opportunity Provider And Emp/Dyer
MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY SUBCOMMITTEE
Recommendations for improved safety
PREMISES: The members of the subcommittee present the following recommendations
for consideration as a unified and defined response to the KTSC's objective of improving
safety on Mamalahoa Hwy.
The Subcommittee focused on Mamalahoa Highway between mile mazkers 11
(Waikoloa Road) and 28, where there have been a significant, increasing and
disproportionately lazge number of vehicle crashes and deaths. In addition, this is a
serious fire danger area, and fires resulting from crashes have frequently occurred.
Our recommendations will, we believe, improve this stretch of road, and are cost-
effective and reasonable.
The curves at Pu'u Anahulu bluff should be kept sepazate from the other items, because
the state is more focused on its plan for that area. Rumble strips are recommended as
being more effective warnings than signs (see below).
ESSENTIAL NEEDS:
1. Add sufficient paved turnouts on each side of the Highway to accomplish the
following:
a. Allow police enforcement: to be able to have places to station themselves and
use radaz; to be able to pull offenders over; and to be able to tum around to be
able to go after offenders going the other way.
b. Provide motorists with a breakdown (such as flat tire) with a place to get out of
harm's way.
c. Provide slower traffic with a place to pull over and allow those who wish to go
faster to go ahead.
d. Using the tumouts for fire fighting and providing staging azeas for fire
equipment.
2. Correct center striping to be solid double lines where appropriate.
3. Add rumble bumps along the centerline throughout, and add rumble bumps or strips
along shoulders.
4. Add rumble strips, as appropriate, leading to the Pu'u Anahulu bluff.
5. Signage: Install the following signs at appropriate locations to alert and inform
motorists as to the nature of the road.
Examples:
"Limited Site Distances Next 17 Miles Headlights On"
"Slower Traffic, please use turnouts and let people pass"
"Drive safely and with aloha"
"Double Fines for Speeding" (legislation required? Or can it be simply stated
on a sign?)
6. Fix Roadbed deterioration.
OTHER IDEAS:
Education needs to be promoted on an island and statewide basis. Suggestions include
designing a logo (for example a Hawaiian lady with an armful of flowers, and possibly
the simple word "RELAX;") and handouts at rental agencies with driving hints for
visitors ("let others pass", etc.).
CONCLUSION:
The subcommittee believes these steps offer the appropriate governing bodies a defined,
reasonable and appropriate plan to substantially improve the safety of Mamalahoa
Highway in the azea. We believe that these community based recommendations have
merit, and aze in the interest of public safety.
With acceptance by the KTSC, three sub-committee members will meet with appropriate
State and County representatives to present these findings and pursue their
implementation.
Respectfully submitted,
Mamalahoa Highway Sub-Committee
Jerry King, Co-Chair
James Cohn, Co-Chair