HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1039.002 2006-2008
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Murashige, Laura
From: John Simmerman Dohns88usc@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 2:54 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Hawaii County Capital Budget FY 08-09
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March 24, 2008
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To: Hawaii County Council
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Re: Hawaii County Capital Budget FY 08-09 w
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Aloha Council Members,
As budgets are statements of our values, we wish to submit some comments and
recommendations for the Hawaii County Capital Budget for fiscal year 2008-2009.
We are at a critical tipping point in Hawaii 's future. Transportation has become a
critical concern for many residents. A strategy which creates a safe, flexible transportation
network will insure a strong future for our sustainable future and quality of life.
It is very exciting to see bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Manono St . As the
linkage between UH Hilo and downtown, Manono serves a critical link in the bike network for
Hilo . We urge that the project extend bike lanes to West Kawili Street and that sidewalks be
included.
We strongly urge the council to read the Hawaii County Bicycle and Pedestrian Annual
Report which details the top ten projects for Hawaii Island and recommends specific action
steps towards moving these projects along. While completion of many of these is a long way
off, we can and must fund the next reasonably achievable step in the next fiscal year to
maintain progress.
We also strongly support funding the Balance Transportation Coordinator. This position
is currently funded for one year with thanks in part to a Department of Health grant. We urge
the Council to fund this position for five years so we can truly develop a comprehensive
program.
The ADA improvement line items have great potential in improving walkability in towns
like Waimea. We urge the design of these ADA projects to keep a "path of travel" in mind at
all times. That is, to imagine how a pedestrian would walk from point A to B. Often a
beautifully executed curb ramp leads to a phone pole in the middle of the sidewalk or an
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abrupt end altogether. When planning with the pedestrian in mind, we can better use
those dollars towards a safe and walkable environment.
We also support a line item within the Capital Budget for shoulder preparation as part of
the Department of Public Works maintenance program. This will help to provide resources to
prepare shoulders (i.e. grading, grubbing, right of way acquisition) of key arterial and collector
roads slated for maintenance. When it comes time to pave these roadways the shoulder may be
extended to create a safer environment for emergency breakdowns and provide greater
distance between the travel lane and people walking or bicycling along the shoulder.
Mahalo for the opportunity to comment.
John D. Simmerman, MS
Co-President
PATH Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii
PO Box 62
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745
808-329-9718
808-936-4653
shar_etheroad@path hawaii.org
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3/24/2008