HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 018 05/01/2007 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: May 1, 2007 RE: Comm. 335- Res. 160-07
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred
Communication No. 335- Res. 160-07, which is a Resolution supporting Hawaii County's
commitment to traffic safety reports as follows:
There were two testifiers. Dr. Sharon Vitousek testified in support of this resolution. She said that
too many people are dying in traffic accidents and prevention can reduce the death rate. She stated
that the Mayor has served as a leader to reduce traffic deaths and injuries; she asked that the
Council set the tone to facilitate cooperation between the departments.
Mazgazet Wille from Waimea encouraged a proactive approach. She asked to see the Pazsons-
Brinkerhoff Study on traffic. She thinks that the sidewalks and roads in Waimea need to be
completed and they need an intra-Waimea shuttle.
Resolution 160-07 was transmitted by Council Member Stacy Higa by Comm. No. 335, dated
April 11, 2007. This resolution states that between 2001 and 2005 Hawaii County's fatality rates
from motor vehicle crashes were three times higher that the City and County of Honolulu and
twice the rates for Maui and Kauai counties. According to the State Department of Transportation
10 of the 11 most dangerous intersections in the state are found on Hawaii Island. Council
Member Higa commended the many groups that have been working on traffic safety. Council
Member Ford asked why there were only two people specifically mentioned on the resolution,
when all of the groups had many people as members. Council Member Jacobson said that it was
discouraging that the State's answer to traffic fatalities was traffic lights and not more innovative
solutions such as round-abouts; he also mentioned that the Kona Traffic Safety Council should be
included in the list of groups mentioned.
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution 160-07, and forwazds it to the Council with a positive recommendation.
AYES NOES A&E Ex Respectfully submitted,
FORD x
H[GA x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HOFFMANN x INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
IKEDA x
JACOBSON x C.~(~
NAEOLE x BRENDA J. F ,CHAIRPERSON
PILAGO x PWIRCREPORTNO. 18
YAGONG x
YOSHIMOTO x ADOPTED: MAY 1 6 20U7