HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0358.000 1988-1992March 16, 1989
The Honorable Russell Kokubun
Chairman, County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HaPro
Dear Mr.
11
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Tim 3 2o Pm By JI -
Date_ '2-0 'ami
C- i 4 o C -/07R
The Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and the Hilo Main Street Program
jointly submit their support of the traffic reversal pattern currently
under review by the County. We previously recommend and continue to
support changing the traffic pattern to enter Downtown Hilo through
Kilauea/Keawe Street (one-way northbound) and exit Downtown Hilo through
Kinoole Street (one-way southbound).
According to research conducted by the Hilo Main Street Program, it appears
that the current traffic pattern was supposed to be a "six month study" to
determine the effect of changing from two-way streets to one-way streets.
The "study" started in 1977 and has lasted 12 years. During this time,
some businesses have become accustomed to the traffic pattern and naturally
resist any change.
However, in two studies conducted in 1987 and 1988 by the Hilo Main Street
Program, it appears that consumers prefer reversing the existing traffic
pattern. Kilauea Street is a "consumer corridor", a major thoroughfare
which promotes traffic through Hilo, bringing in consumers to Downtown from
the more populated Waiakea area and other southern districts (Puna, Ka'u).
In addition, two of three shopping centers in Hilo are located on this
street. For these and other reasons, community planning professionals from
the National Main Street Program support the HDIA's recommendation to
reverse the traffic pattern.
Comm. Na c58
Hilo Main Street Program Fiie No.,, TieF/Nr
A Project of the Downtown Improvement Association Ref. Toi PIL) Ll
252 Kamehameha Avenue 0 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 0 Telephone (808) 935Z%f. MAR 2 0 1989
4
The Honorable Russell Kokubun
March 16, 1989
Page 2
Further, the Central Fire Station's concerns regarding delayed response
time to Hilo High School and its surrounding area if the traffic pattern is
changed have been briefly addressed. It appears that although the Central
Fire Station responds to alarms in the Hilo High School area, the Kaumana
Fire Station is the primary station to respond (Central Fire Station is the
second station to respond). Therefore, the few seconds it takes to go to
Kilauea Street from Ponahawai/Kinoole Streets may not appear as critical.
In the same light, response time to the Puueo area may be faster with the
reversed traffic pattern because the fire company can enter Puueo (cross
the bridge) directly through Kilauea/Keawe Street.
The HDIA and the Hilo Main Street Program, with support from its Board of
Directors and membership, strongly recommend reversing the existing traffic
to make Kilauea/Keawe Streets one way northbound, and Kinoole Street one-
way southbound between Ponahawai and Waianuenue Streets.
Any assistance or direction you can lend to expedite the process to change
the current traffic pattern will be greatly appreciated. If you have any
questions or problems related to this issue, please call me at 959-4575, or
Kirk Soares, Hilo Main Street Project Manager, at 935-8850.
Sincerely,
C7
Tony Tan'guchi
President
TT:daf
cc: HDIA and Hilo Main Street Board
Mayor Bernard Akana
Councilwoman Merle Lai, Vice
Councilman Stephen Yamashiro,
Chair
Chair, Public Works Committee
4
RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN
Councilman
Chairman & Presiding Officer
March 28, 1989
COUNJY COLUXCIL
County of Hawaii
Hawaii Countv Building
25 ,Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Mr. Tony Taniguchi, President
Hilo Main Street Program
252 Kamehameha Ave.
Hilo, Hawa " 96720
Dear r. g c i•
I have received your letter dated March 16, 1989 regarding the
traffic patterns on Kilauea Avenue and Keawe Street in downtown
Hilo. Your letter has been referred to the Public Works
Committee for review. The Public Works Committee will convene
on April 11, 1989 at the YBA Hall in Pahoa and April 25, 1989
in the Councilroom. The meetings begin at 9:00 a.m. Please
feel free to contact the County Clerk, Mr. John Wagner, at
961-8271 to determine at which specific meeting this issue will
be heard.
ncerely,
ussell S. Kokubun, Chairman
Hawaii County Council