HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0838.002 2008-2010 Murashige, Laura
From: Bernadette Kainoa [KainoaBC @nhch.com]
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 8:11 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Hawaii County Council
Hawaii County Council
I strongly support bicycle and pedestrian access on Mamalahoa Bypass from Haleki'i Street
to the Alii Drive terminus in Keauhou. As a constituent and a resident of this island, I
enjoy walking and bicycling for exercise, to get to work or shopping or school and I would
like to be able to use this route on my bicycle or by walking.
I ask you to amend Bill 260 to require Corporation Counsel to negotiate bicycle and
pedestrian access on this road.
There are several reasons why it is important to make the Mamalahoa Bypass accessible to
pedestrians and bicyclists:
1. The Ordinances that uphold this legal agreement refer to opening the road to Public
Traffic. The definition of Traffic in the Hawaii County Code includes pedestrians and
bicyclists (Ch 24, Article 1 Section 24 -3). We feel that the current prohibition of
bicyclists and pedestrians may currently be illegal under this definition.
2. The Bypass offers a much safer alternative to walking or bicycling along Kuakini
Highway through the narrow sections in Keauhou Mauka, Honalo and Kainaliu. By opening the
Bypass we make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians and we make it easier on car
drivers who may be worried about hitting a bicyclist or pedestrian, especially when school
resumes in early August and roads become more congested.
3. Hawaii County is among the most unhealthy counties in our nation
( http:// www.countyhealthrankings.org /). We need places to walk and bike to maintain a
healthy lifestyle. We have very few public trails, pathways or bikeways. Opening the
Mamalahoa Bypass to bicyclists and pedestrians provides an opportunity for Hawaii County
residents to get exercise on a daily basis.
Please amend Bill 260 to require Corporation Counsel to allow bicyclists and pedestrians
to access Mamalahoa Bypass.
Mahalo,
Bernadette Kainoa
- cam:,
1- •
Coma. No. $3g: 2 _
1 Ref. To: V/ Cen..t vtU I
Ref. otrx AI 21 nip