HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 264 07/12/1988 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: July 12, 1988
PLACE : Councilroom
TIME: 11 .00 a .m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works to which was referred Communication
No . 1539 and its attached Bill No. 517 , reports as follows:
Bill No . 517 proposes to amend Chapter 24 , Division 8 , Section
24-293, Schedule 41 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 , relating to the
use of certain streets by certain vehicles by adding a new
subsection. The purpose of Bill No . 517 is to prohibit vehicles with
five or more tons of gross vehicle weight from using Ka ' iminani
Street in the Kona Palisades Subdivision as a through street between
the Hawaii Belt Highway and the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The intent
of the bill is to provide a short term solution to traffic concerns
expressed by the residents of Kona Palisades Estates , particularly
the noise made by heavy trucks operating in low gear and using their
brakes , on the steep parts of Ka ' iminani Street .
Your Committee on Public Works understands that the weight
restriction does not apply to utility, emergency or delivery
vehicles and school buses providing services to residents of Kona
Palasades and adjoining subdivisions. The weight restriction would
also be lifted during periods of declared emergency.
Your Committee first reviewed Bill No. 517 on March 29, 1988 and
deferred action on it and a Committee member ' s oral proposal for a
three-ton weight limit pending a public informational meeting on
traffic problems on Kai ' iminani Street sponsored by the Committee on
Public Works and the Planning Committee at the Kona Palisades
Community Center on March 29 at 5 : 00 p.m.
Your Committee reviewed Bill No. 517 again on April 12, 1988 and
referred it along with Communication No . 1499 through Communication
1449 . 3 to the Police Department, Corporation Counsel and Department
of Public Works for comments and recommendations .
Your Committee has reviewed Communication 1499 . 12 from Joe Almeida,
General Manager, Kona Palisades Estates Community Association, and
its attached survey, which shows that 65 responses favored a three
ton limit and 62 responses favored a five-ton limit . However , only
88 surveys were returned to the Association and the responses do not
indicate a clear preference for one weight limit . The survey also
shows that a slight majority of respondents disapproved of reducing
the speed limit .
PWC REPORT ..C , 264
ADOPTED : AUG 31988
PWC-264 Page 2 July 12, 1988
Your Committee reviewed Bill No. 517 again on July 12, 1988 and
expressed the following concerns :
1 . Bill No . 517 proposes a five ton gross vehicle weight but
the Kona Palisades Estates Community Association' s survey
showed slightly more support for a three ton limit .
2. Bill No. 517 cites the gross vehicle weight instead of net
vehicle weight, which is on the vehicle registration and is
easy to verify.
A Committee member also expressed the following concerns related to
the traffic problems on Kai ' iminani Street .
1 . The lack of a bill for a lower speed limit on Ka ' iminani
Street .
2. The desire to address the traffic problems in a way that
will satisfy the Kona Palisades residents in the future .
Your Committee Chairwoman responded that the recommendation for a
five-ton limit came from the Kona Palisades people .
Your Committee has reviewed Communication No . 1499 . 8 from Chief of
Police Guy Paul, which states that regarding the use of gross vehicle
weight ( found on door of vehicle) or net vehicle weight (found on
vehicle registration) , both methods could be used. Chief Paul also
stated that a "reduction of speed to 25 mph seems restrictive as the
road is basically straight and wide and is presently the only
thoroughfare. "
Your Committee on Public Works is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Bill No. 517 and recommends it •.‘ssage on first reading by
the County Council . / •
SAW:.. I
M •LE K. LAI WP- , IRWOMAN
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RUSSELL S. KOKUB tAt4(6:1(-----
VICE CHR. FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER
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T KASHI DOM G , ME BER SHERWOOD R. H. GREENWELL, MEMBE
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