HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0101.057 1998-2000 0 0
February 15, 1999 3 56
James Y. Arakaki, Chair 9 MR y ��}
County Council of Hawaii G;
25 Aupuni Street Cal: I �,, � ,.';�,- , ..!
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
Dear Chairman Arakaki,
re: the proposed Ali'i Highway -- for distribution to the Council members
It has come to my attention that I am being misrepresented about my opinion of the proposed
Ali'i Highway by the staff of the Kona - Kohala Chamber of Commerce. I suspect there are
others who share my opinion.
I am a member of the Kona - Kohala Chamber of Commerce and do not support
the proposed highway as currently planned. For years I have been waiting for 'the Ali'i bypass'
to take the pressure off of Ali'i Drive. A limited access, divided highway is not what we have
been promised for the last' century.
A parkway concept with facilities for mauka -makai connectors, direct access to Kahakai school,
for the purpose of moving traffic between Kailua town and the Keauhou area, more in keeping
with the charm and flavor of Kona would be more appropriate. A freeway would destroy the
quality of the neighborhoods through which it passes. A freeway this close to the seashore will
despoil the very environment we are marketing to tourists. The designed speed needs to be
reduced to approx 40mph thus eliminating the need for sound walls. Many residents in the
area, for whose benefit the sound walls are proposed, do not want them to cut off the air flow
from the ocean.
Actually we need to go back to the drawing board and rethink the absurdity of routing 'through
traffic' off of the Queen K- Kuakini corridor and sending it down near the ocean right through
existing neighborhoods. An arterial coming off of Kuakini at Pottery Terrace and following the
proposed Alii bypass route, for the purpose of moving traffic from Kailua town to Keauhou and
back would be appropriate. A freeway for airport to Captain Cook traffic is not acceptable in that
area.
I would recommend that the statement made before the County Council on two
occasions (December 30, 1998 in Kona at a County Council meeting held at the
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, and January 15, 1999 in Hilo at a
Committee of Finance meeting in Council chambers), that "the 500 members of
the Chamber of Commerce were in support of the Ali'i Highway" (paraphrased)
be checked for accuracy.
Thanks you for your time and attention to the community wishes here in Kona.
Sincerely,
Jeff Turne , PA
PO Box 3220
Kailua -Kona, HI 96745 /01. 7
329 -9220 Comm. No. _
File No i
Ref. To Presented Co umcd L
Ref. Date 3 - Y- 99