HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1137.032 2016-2018 P/ate
COUNT Y CLERK( omM l I,7
MUNTY OF HAWAII
From: patwCa�gci.net
To: Council Testimony �}ptta OCT .
Subject: Puna Roads LUiU � 6
Date: Saturday,October 27,2018 6:07:07 PM
Being new to the Island,I am seeing the difficulties Hawaii County has in improving and upgrading our roads.
Evidently the revenue from tourism is kept in the areas where it is earned and that is understandable although I
imagine that some of that income goes to the state highway system. This may explain the ongoing traffic problem
between Hilo and the outlying areas. I am impress with the middle turn and merge lanes and the roundabouts are an
improvement if folks would learn how to use them.
Ideally,there should be a 4 lane highway from Leilani all the way to Hilo and I am not sure why overpasses are not
in areas between Pahoa and Hilo. For the traffic volume,overpasses would be much preferred than roundabouts.
I can imagine that a 3 lane coastal highway between Hilo and what is left of the road through the Kalapana/Kapoho
areas,is out of the question because of the lower income folks in Puna which lowers the priority of these area for
road development.
Poor or not,the areas that would be opened up would surely increase tax base and potential for tourism and a
growing population. The current road that was repaired and paved during the Kilauea eruption happened fast and
greatly improved the safety of the area.
I would hope that the County of Hawaii could take the lead in an effective and successful road system,even to the
point of being the best system in all the islands.
' r
Pat Wendt
15-130 Puni Paka St East
Pahoa,Hawaii 96778
patw@gci.net
Sent from my iPad
Comm. No. 11137`32
Ref.To: PIgri FO
Ref. Date OCT 3'1 2018