HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1242.001 2006-2008
DAY-LUM RENTALS & MANAGEMENT, INC.
DAY-LUM RENTALS Phone (808) 935-4152
C 2 Kamehameha Avenue Fax (808) 961-2459
M,uMSIM0"= P Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2830 e-mail: rentals@daylum.com
TO: Honorable Hawaii County Council
FROM: Nancy Cabral
DATE: July 2, 2008
RE: Bill #308
I am writing in support of Bill #308. While this bill is being proposed to increase parking in for the
adjacent area, I am supporting Bill #308 because of safety.
My office has been located adjacent to this corner for the past 24 years. My office was first located at
40 Kamehameha Ave. between 1984 and 1990 and since 1990 my office has been located at 2
Kamehameha Ave. I am in this intersection several times a day at least six (6) days a week.
This is a dangerous intersection as it now stands. People are unclear on how to enter the circle area
which consists of two (2) yellow painted circles that are off-center of the intersection on the asphalt.
Sometimes, but not always, cars entering the circle area along Kamehameha Avenue veer to the right.
I often witness cars behind the first car proceed to pass this first car in the circle by driving directly
through the circle. AND I have witnessed cars at the stop sign of Shipman and Kamehameha Ave.
turning into the circle intersection when the primary car has veered to the right of the circle. Both of
these actions have caused near misses with two cars in the circle at the same time. Eliminating the
circle will completely stop this dangerous situation from occurring.
In addition, there is a safety concern with cars and pedestrians as they cross the street from the opening
of Day-Lum Rentals to cars parked cars in the current parking stalls. People are often speeding as the
pass the front of Day-Lum Rentals. The width of this area would allow for three cars to be pass at one
time for about 25 feet space. As a pedestrian leaving our office we look and see no cars coming in the
one way direction AND by the time we get to the middle of this area cars are often upon us. With fear
and uncertainty the pedestrian does not know if they should run forward, backwards or stand still and
allow the car to pass to the right or left of the pedestrian. This is a very dangerous situation and the
additional parking stalls along the area will confine cars to a narrower pathway and thereby reducing
the danger for pedestrians.
The Hawaii Driver's Manual has one reference to "Roundabouts" and shows it as a four way
intersection NOT as a two one-way intersection. In addition the circle is off center and NO ONE
taking a left out of Shipman Street veers to the right to go around the circle to make a left turn.
This traffic circle is a danger to those using the circle. It does NOT impact traffic on Kinoole Street,
Keawe Street, or in the Puueo area.
Those with concerns about drivers getting lost without the traffic circle/roundabout should have a little
faith in the common sense of our drivers. Provided the ocean does not move as a major landmark, I am
confident drivers will not get lost.
Please vote in favor of Bill #308 and make the Kamehameha and Shipman Street area safer with more
parking. Comm. Na_,,,~ Z ~i 3 •
Ref. To. Pr sMt~ll s:
ref. Date.1111 22(108