HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0392.002 2004-2006 Mainatreet Palwa, Inc.
P.O. B. 11x9 Pahoa, HI 96778
e-mail ainnv~interpac.net 965 9569
September 7, 2005
To: Council MemberGazy Safazik
And Members of the Hawaii County Council
From: Virginia Aste, President ;
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For many years, Mainstreet Pahoa, Inc., has crusaded for the "small town qualities" of
towns on the Big Island. With increased population, transportation routes must be devised
to handle the transport of goods and services from one community to another.
We aze fortunate to be able to provide alternate mutes and traffic calming interventions as
we improve Highway 130 and develop alternate routes. In our haste to prevent more
traffic accidents, let's look at alternatives which reduce, rather than increase speed.
We urge the State Department of Transportation to expedite a study to determine needed
safety improvements to the Kea'au-Pahoa Road, but we also ask that all possibilities for
safety improvements and alternate methods of transportation be considered.
The Oahu and the mainland aze full of examples where highway improvements have split
neighborhoods, created strip development, and increased speed limits to the detriment
and death of pedestrians and bicyclists.
Hilo is an excellent example of gradual development and road improvement which has
(perhaps inadvertently) preserved town character and also provided many alternate mutes
in the event of flood, accidents, road work or other impediments to traffic flow.
Mahalo for your consideration of "Smart Growth," small town concepts for new traffic
improvement proposals.
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