HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1144.002 2004-2006
OCT-29-2006 06:13P FROM:WINDLINE 8089879076 TO:9618912 P.1/1
2006 UT 30 FM 7 08
Testimony in regards to Communication 1141 Bill 357
Please distribute for Monday morning hearing. CO'_r _ i
COUNTHa:i 41!
Oct. 29/06
From: David Anderson
To: Councilman Donald Ikeda, Chairman, Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations
Committee, and to Committee members.
Aloha,
I am longtime member of the Hamakua Community, and more particularly of the Waipio
Community, the Waipio Community Circle, as well as the Committee to create a Ranger
position at Waipio Valley. I speak for the Ranger Committee in asking you to support
Bill number 357, to restrict the use of the Waipio Road to Four Wheel Drive vehicles
only.
The recent development of the All Wheel Drive design has created havoc on the Waipio
Road and in the Valley. These are essentially one wheel drive street cars with a drive
which kicks in to other wheels on demand. They are not designed for the extremely steep
valley Road nor for the conditions which occur on that road and in Waipio Valley. The
conventional Four Wheel Drive system has a "compound low " component, which allows
the driver to go down the road without "riding the brakes', and up the road at a slow and
controlled speed without over revving the engine, affording control and maneuverability
to the operator. The All Wheel Drive vehicles do not have this component. Additionally,
the vast majority of these vehicles are low to the ground and not able to get through the
large and deep puddles, and the river at the ford. As a result many of us in the community
have had to aid visitors in these vehicles in extracting themselves from situations brought
on by the limitations of their All Wheel Drive systems.
By allowing All Wheel Drive Vehicles on the Waipio Road, and into Waipio Valley we
as a community are exposing not only the local residents to hazard but inviting visitors
and residents from other parts of the island into dangers of which they are not aware. The
potential liability to the County in this circumstance has to be considered.
I would ask you to join our Ranger Committee, Dominic Yagong and the many citizens
involved in developing a management plan for Waipio Valley, in supporting this action
requested by Councilman Hoishuh. Please vote for Bill number 357.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
David ers t, Rat ger Committee
,
:rmm. No. I
Ref. To: F1089049
:.:f. Date 0 C T 3 0 2006