The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0101.006 1998-2000 0 0 ' ia • I 1_ i — � _S'__ S'D • O: I. 1. LS kS: I PO Box 62 • KAILUA - KONA, HAWAI' 1 96745 • (808) 326 -9495 • FAx (808) 327 -9429 Doarb ofDtrcctors Gerry L. Rott, Robe id Okawa, We Suggest an Alii "Parkway" Vice President Janet Higa Miller, If there weren't enough issues facing us this election year, here's one more: Secretary/Treasurer Kealoha Curnan- Medina G en C. Hobbs th development of the proposed Alii Highway. A new, important arterial linking Gwen C. Hobbs p P P g Y• � P g Scott Mitchell Daniels. Peters Michael J. Riehm Kailua with South Kona. We propose that since the alignment runs through existing Frank H. Sayre, DDS Robert A. Stuit neighborhoods, goes right next to an elementary school, and will traverse prime Abvbors Toni Blair Barbara E. Bush urban development land, a "parkway design" is the appropriate concept to develop, Linda Jane Kelley Ron Reilly as opposed to the proposed "highway design ". &ecwtive Director Ann C. Peterson The highway, as designed, calls for a 100 foot -wide asphalt, limited access Allston to promote traffic safety highway, with 13 foot retaining walls near homes, and chain link fences to disallow education, and a sale environment on roadways and trails for pedestrian traffic. Those of us who have seen such "neighborhoods" in other cities recreation, Illness, and alternative nodes of transportation cannot imagine Kona with this type of district in our midst. Instead, we propose a two -lane parkway design, with landscaped medians, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, RECEIVED . and design features, such as curb extensions at intersections to safely allow n - /5:138;/48 —_... stria° crossings. County Cou nc 11 -„ ,+ Nation -wide we have witnessed the results of "car- oriented" development at the cost of "people- oriented" development. The 1950's blueprint for town development created many ugly, dehumanized communities, leading to urban Web -site: wow.hialoha.mm/path E- mail.' blight, crime, and subsequent flight to the suburbs — where the scenario repeated pathtaloha.net cam. Na . 101.06 File No. C14 Phi NP 1 Eef. m1 ps coutJ. P. t 0 . 1 Ty t „ DEC 3 0 1998 _ 0 0 itself. We have only to look as far as Oahu for an example of how development based on the automobile has effected both landscape and life - styles. Interestingly enough, in searching for a solution to their traffic woes of gridlock and road rage, the City and County of Honolulu found that the bicycle was the answer. The recently released Honolulu Bike Plan maps out a "lei of parks" (separated multi -use lanes) within the cities of Honolulu and Waikiki, and "bike routes" from Pearl Harbor to Kahala, including routes to colleges and universities. Honolulu found what Federal Highway studies have shown: that by providing safe and comfortable facilities for alternative modes of transportation, the number of sole occupancy car trips is reduced. One less car on the road per bicycle commuter! Moreover, with proper facilities design and constructed, both car drivers and bicyclists feel safe. With all the cyclists we have here -- and as we have seen on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, cyclists are going to use the roadway anyway -- it simply makes sense to provide safe places for them to commute, recreate, or train. Further, with all the planned and existing neighborhoods and the elementary school along its route, pedestrian facilities are a must. Landscaping is also essential in creating a sense of community. Have we not all been awed by the beautiful bougainvillea at the intersection of Nani Kailua and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, or noticed the juxtaposition of bougainvillea with the telephone poles north from town along Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Which do we prefer, and which landscape is more likely to draw tourist and new residents? We think it's the one with trees and flowers — the essence of aloha and our connection with the aina. On a practical side, traffic speeds are 20 percent lower on tree -lined streets according to FHWA sponsored studies. Other studies have found an inverse relationship on the frequency and violent nature of crime and landscaped neighborhoods. Retaining walls and chain link fences do not a community make. These are not just the ideas of PATH, but reflect the emerging philosophy of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) engineers and the mandate laid out in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21' 2 0 0 Century (TEA -21) -- the transportation law updated and reauthorized by Congress earlier this year. TEA - 21 calls for the consideration of bike and pedestrian facilities on all new and resurfacing projects, aside from interstate freeways. It further decrees the spending of at least 10 percent of each state's transportation budget on "transportation enhancement" projects, such as bicycle /pedestrian facilities, street landscaping, and scenic by -ways. This is federal law. There is a misconception that the Federal government will not fund this highway unless it is designed with four - lanes. In fact, we received federal funds for the resurfacing of Alii Drive, and many other such two -lane projects. The four -lane concept for the proposed Alii Highway was based on population projections which need to be reviewed in light of actual current population growth. Federal highway administrators simply want to make sure that the roadway meets the demands of the future. In economic terms, even though the Federal TEA -21 legislation increased transportation spending nation- wide by 40 percent, Hawai' i's portion went down 49 percent (now sure where our legislators were on that one). We need to get realistic about how we spend these limited funds. There are other serious safety issues of the planned Alii Highway which need to be addressed including: inadequate tsunami or major flooding escape routes, an already overburdened Royal Poinciana Drive (with no plans for other mauka/makai connectors), design speeds set for 60 mph in some areas, and the failure to adequately address the safety features necessary considering the proximity to Kahakai Elementary School. Residents need to consider the cost of an essentially six -lane Alii Highway (with the 24 foot paved, striped median) to our quality of life. Once a highway is built, it is difficult and expensive to change. Developers and business need to consider market demand. Future residents of, and visitors to, Kailua will come for the same natural beauty and peaceful lifestyle that we now enjoy. Let's promote development on a human scale. The choice is a 100 -foot wide, paved, striped, retained, chain -link 3 o 0 fenced asphalt highway, or a tree -lined parkway designed for all modes of traffic. With the alignment through neighborhoods and next to a school, which do you prefer? If you don't let our elected officials know, they will never realize that another traffic (tragic) mistake is about to be made. Please let them all know you care — remember there are nine Council members who will be making a vote, with the Mayor making the final decision. If you would like to find out how candidates on this November's ballot think about bicycle and pedestrian issues, check out PATH's upcoming newsletter, TRACKS. We'll be reporting the results of a questionnaire sent to over 80 people running for office in this year's election. Members receive TRACKS in the mail, others can pick up a copy, while they last, at B & L Bike & Sports, Hawaiian Pedals, Bike Works ,The Club in Kona, or call the office at 326 -9495 to become a member. To have maximum impact on the Alii Highway plan, contact the Mayor and our State legislators to opposed the construction of the Alii Highway as planned. Encourage hiring consultants and designers who know and apply new approaches to road design for safe and healthy communities. Let's enlist a consultant who does not work for developers, as in the case with this project, but who is willing to work with the Kona community to develop a beautiful parkway. If we can get the public and government listening to each other and working together, we can create an amenity that promotes a "sense of community ". Sincerely, Ann Peterson Executive Director PATH — Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii 4