HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0687.037 2004-2006 Page 1 of 2
Eoff, Karen
From: Carole Kwiat [cakwiat@yahoo.com]
Sant: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 11:23 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Ce: Pilago, K. Angel
Subject: Testimony Regarding Hilu Hilu/Palamanui Development
Aloha Planning Committee Members,
Continued development in West Hawaii is a source of big concern for all of us who live here and must
confront the daily trials of increased traffic, diminishing services, and environmental depletion. While
we are not opposed in theory to the future development of Palamanui because it offers some nice
benefits to our community, we do oppose any development without construction of a safe Mauka-Makai
connector road constructed to meet or exceed the public safety standards for major connector roads.
This is the time for the county to step up to the plate and take a firm stand with developers who wish to
profit from our beautiful island to assure that all citizens will benefit from this development. Charles
Schwab advertises that potential investors in his funds can "Ask Chuck"; we say in this instance that the
County Board must "Tell Chuck".
In the case of Palamanui, the Planning Committee has an opportunity to insist that the developers
construct an 80 foot wide connector road with a safe grade that is within County and State guidelines
because that option is readily available to those developers. A representative of HiluHilu Development
has already indicated at a Makalei Homeowner's Association Meeting in January that the
company would be amenable to working with Lynch Development to construct the connector road to the
north on a parcel that would be much better suited to such a road. With state and county cooperation this
can and must be required.
Allowing an unsafe road to be completed as even a temporary measure will open the State and County to
lawsuits generated by motorists and their families who suffer tragedies as a result. There is no question
that will be the result if Makalei Drive is made into a connector road. There have already been several
serious accidents there due to its steep grade and sharp curves. Instead of a university being constructed
in the area, a hospital with a level 1 trauma center might be more appropriate.
With the recent ruling by the courts that the County and State governments can be held responsible, it
would be folly to allow construction of yet another road that clearly does not meet guidelines. After
countless hours of testimony and numerous letters, let it be said in no uncertain terms, that the County
Board has been fully warned that Makalei Road is inadequate and unsafe to be a main connector road.
So, when the first traffic fatality occurs, get out your wallets County Board, because it's going to cost
you! Blatant disregard for facts and warnings should incur personal liability amongst the individual
Board members.
Our future is in your hands. Please use your authority to assure that development proceeds responsibly
so that infrastructure is in place to safely support new homes, universities, hospitals, and shops, and
most of all our ohana. Comm. No.
Ref. To:f~sse~ted V
4/26/2006 Reif. Uate
Page 2 of 2
Mahalo and aloha,
Carole and David Kwiat
Carole Kwiat, RS
Coldwell Banker Aloha Properties
Office Phone: (808) 329-3545
Cell: (808) 987-7273
Web: www.konadreamhomes
Extraordinary Service with A[ohal
4/26/2006