HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWPC 084 01/06/1998 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
DATE: January 6, 1998 RE: COMM. NO. 506/BILL NO. 145
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:05 a.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks, to which was referred Communication No. 506 and
attached Bill No. ]45, reports as follows:
The purpose of Bill No. 145 is (1) to compress the one-way school traffic pattern on Waianuenue Avenue
from Komohana Street to Laimana Street instead of Kamehameha Avenue; (2) to eliminate presently
prohibited left-turns at Hilo intermediate School and Hilo High School caused by the existing one-way
pattern; (3) to prohibit left-turns on Waianuenue Avenue at Hilo High on Kapiolani Street, and on
Kaiulani Street at certain times on school days; and (4) to change the locations where parking on
Waianuenue Avenue is prohitited and allowed based upon the proposed compression. The changes
would amend Chapter 24, Article 1 Q division 2, schedule 15 (One way streets in South Hilo), schedule
19 (prohibited lefr-turn areas in South Hilo), schedule 29 (Parking prohibited during certain hours on
certain streets in South Hilo), and schedule 32 (Two hour parking areas in South Hilo), and schedule 34
(No stopping, standing or parking areas in South Hilo) of the Hawaii County Code.
Communication No. 506 is a letter from Chief Engineer Donoa Fay K. Kiyosaki, dated September 22,
1997, which transmit Bill No. 145 to the Council for its consideration. In Communication No. 506, the
Chief Engineer states that the one-way pattern would be shortened to end at Laimana Street rather than
Kamehameha Avenue to improve control of the traffic flow on Waianuenue Avenue, especially during
the transition periods when many vehicles are traveling in the wrong direction. This would also
minimize the County's exposure to liability during the one-way period.
On October 14, 1997, Your Committee deferred the proposal due to the concerns of the people brought
to the attention of Committee Member Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd vvho would like to leave the traffic
pattern as is. If a compression was to be made, Ms. Leithead-Todd felt that it should occur at Kinoole
Street rather than Laimana Street. The deferral period would allow her to hold community meetings for
public input.
Mr. Richard Nishimura of the Department of Public Works explained that the main reason for this
compression was based upon the liability that faces the County of Hawaii during the one-way time
period of 45 minutes on a school day. Signs are posted to inform the public that the one-way pattern is
only effective on school days. However, people are still not able to ascertain whether it is in operation
while they are driving. By controlling the traffic signals using flashing lights at Komohana and by being
able to see the flow of traffic at that point, the County Public Works crew can better monitor and safely
remove the barriers at the end of the one-way traffic at 8:00 a.m.
. .
Public Works & Parks Committee Report
Communication No. 506
Page Two
At today's meeting and discussion on the proposal, Ms. Leithead-Todd informed that she held
community meetings on the matter. She further said that she would work with Mr. Nishimura to
amend Bill No. 145 in time for the next Council meeting.
Your Committee reports that it is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 145 and
recommends its approval.
la
Respectfully submitted
CO~IITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS & PARKS
DOMINIC YAGO ~
PW&PC RE R N 84
ADOPTED: JAN 1 6 1998