HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 055 10/30/2006 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: October 30, 2006 RE: Comm. No. 1144/Bill No. 357
PLACE: Council Chambers
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred
Bill No. 357, reports as follows:
Bill No. 357, transmitted by Hawaii County Council Member Dr. Fred C. Holschuh, via
Communication No. 1144, dated October 17, 2006, amends Chapter 24, Article 10, Division 8,
Section 24-293, Schedule 41, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended).
The purpose of this bill is to amend Chapter 24, Article 10, Division 8, Section 24-293, Schedule
41, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) regarding vehicles and traffic, to
restrict the use of Waipi`o Valley Access Road to four-wheel drive vehicles.
The County Council finds that residents of the Waipi`o Valley azea are concerned that All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) vehicles enter the valley but are unable to exit the valley's extremely steep slope or
are incapacitated in the lower portion of the valley.
According to research conducted by the office of Council Member Dr. Fred C. Holschuh, the "all"
part of all-wheel drive is a bit misleading since the majority of AWD vehicles use the front wheels
primarily, and only direct power to the rear wheels when a sensor detects front-wheel slip. There
are also many derivations of AWD vehicles currently on the market. Some may be better equipped
to deal with the harsh steepness of the valley, but lack the full capacity to deal with the many
adversities encountered when traversing the road down into, and perhaps more importantly, up and
out of Waipi`o Valley. Furthermore, there are other severe conditions within the valley itself, such
as high water areas, muddy and rocky roadways, fallen trees, etc., that require true Four-Wheel
Drive (4WD) to be successfully navigated.
Multiple signs posted at the entrance to the valley indicate that one must have a 4WD vehicle to
traverse the road into the valley. It is recommended that the Code be amended to reflect that only
vehicles equipped with Four-Wheel Drive be allowed into the valley. It must also be noted that our
Code, as it is currently written, restricts vehicles to all wheel drive vehicles only and does not
allow for four-wheel drive vehicles to traverse the Waipi`o Valley Access Road. All-wheel drive
does not encompass and include four-wheel drive vehicles.
Your Committee heazd testimony from two members of the public regarding the proposed bill.
Mr. David Anderson testified in support of Bi11357. He stated that we must protect the cultural
PWIRC Committee Report
October 30, 2006
Page 2
integrity of the azea as well as its environmental resources. Mr. Anderson stated that there is a
need to manage the traffic flow in a safe and orderly fashion. Mr. Anderson suggested that the
Hawaiians who have lived in the valley and sun•ounding areas and have true ties to the `aina
should have the ultimate say in this matter.
Mr. Reynolds Kamakawiwaole stated that in his many years of service as a police officer in the
Waipi`o azea, he has seen faz too many accidents and injuries caused by improperly equipped
vehicles trying to access the Valley. Mr. Kamakawiwaole stated that the area is very hazazdous,
and all-wheel drive cazs are not yet capable of safely traversing the roads and paths.
Your Committee members voiced general support of the measure. Dr. Holschuh stated that the
amendment is much needed. Council Chair Stacy Higa stated that the access road is very
dangerous. Council Vice Chair suggested that the measures taken to protect Hanauma Bay should
be examined to see if similar measures can be utilized to protect Waipi`o Valley.
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Bill No. 357 and recommends it pass first reading
awm
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
ARAKAKI X
HIGA x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HOFFMANN x INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
HOLSCHUH X /r'~ /lam 4
IKEDA X ~~~(/'YV~(~~tiL ~Ci~~-y
ISBELL x DONALD IKEDA, CHAIR
aACOBSON X PWIRC REPORT NO. 55
PILAGO X
SAFARIK x ADOPTED: NOV ~ 5 YOOG