HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.001 2008-2010
Page 1 of 2
m M.27 P/GouNcm
co
~
Murashige, Laura i i D
From: Bob Ward Irgward007@hawaii.rr.com] N8 dfiN 6 P.~I 9 1
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 9:59 PM
To: Council Testimon f' 't" `~tAW~11j
y 1,QUN~ti, ~ It-
Cc: Council Member Yoshimoto; Council Member Enriques; Council Member Ford; Council
Member Greenwell; Council Member Hoffmann; Council Member Ikeda; Council Member
Naeole; Council Member Onishi; Council Member Yagong
Subject: Bill5
Attachments: CC-Bill 5.doc
Aloha Councilmembers,
Please except my testimony on Bill 5 and the needed improvements in the
Mamalahoa Highway Bypass corridor.
Thank You
Bob Ward
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
BILLS 5 - Mamalahoa Highway Bypass-January 5, 2009
1 would like to thank Chair Yoshimoto and other Councilmembers for this opportunity to submit
testimony on expediting the completion of needed improvements and opening the north segment of
the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass and the Haleki'i Street connection.
The safety improvements along Haleki'i Street are valuable additions to Kona Scenic Subdivision
that will benefit the residents both during the hours of operation for the temporary bypass route and
at times when it is not in use. Haleki'i Street has an 80-foot wide public right-of-way (wider than almost
all residential streets and as wide as some County Arterials such as portions of Kuakini Highway) The
resulting wide setbacks to the existing sidewalks and residences coupled with the addition of traffic
calming features, will increase the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
There are several improvements along Ali'i Drive that are also needed to improve the safety of
motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists alike. Some of these have been deferred since 1979 when the
Hawaii County Bike Plan identified this corridor as the Number One priority in all of West Hawaii. Ali'i
Drive improvements, including Bike Lanes and walkways (that can also be combined together in an
emergency to provide a construction detour or even an additional evacuation lane!) were a top priority
of Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee as presented in the 2007 Annual Report.
Consequently, I am very much in support of this Bill that will not only help reduce travel delay,
offer travel choices, but improve the safety for all modes of travel through the extension of the entire
corridor.
The next crucial step will be to take any and all necessary actions that will lead to the timely
Comm. No. 27.
Ref. To: ~~este~ un4
1/6/2009 Ref. Dote JAN 72003
Page 2 of 2
completion of the south segment of the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass. The citizens of Kona have waited
patiently long enough.
Thank You,
Bob Ward
Member - Kona Traffic Safety Committee - Ali'i Drive Sub Committee
Interim Chairman - Hawai'i County Transportation Commission
Vice-President - Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai'i (PATH)
1/6/2009