Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT <br /> DATE: February 4, 2019 Re: Comm.No. 72/Res.No. 38-19 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 1:42 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit,to which was referred Resolution No. 38-19, <br /> reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 38-19, transmitted by Chair Sue Lee Loy, via Communication 72, dated <br /> January 11, 2019, adopts the goals, strategies, and policies of Vision Zero to prevent traffic- <br /> related fatalities and injuries. <br /> Immediately preceding discussion on Resolution No. 38-19, your Committee received a <br /> presentation from Tina Clothier, representing the Mayor's Active Living Committee, to introduce <br /> the Vision Zero principles to your Committee. This report incorporates the discussion that <br /> followed the presentation, which was made a part of the record as Communication No. 71.1. <br /> Committee Member Chung expressed his concern about the safety hazards of pedestrians <br /> crossing intersections when vehicles have the green light. Ms. Clothier responded that it is illegal <br /> to enter an intersection when that is the case. <br /> Committee Member Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder asked about funding for Vision Zero. Ms. <br /> Clothier said Kaiser Permanente has granted $20,000 in seed money to the Vision Zero task <br /> force, and they will apply for other grants. <br /> Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy asked whether an increase in hospital-treated nonfatal bicycle- <br /> related injuries had any correlation with the rise of bike share programs and the corresponding <br /> increase in bicycle riders. She asked what can be done to educate visitors who may not have an <br /> understanding of the roadway conditions in Hawaii County. Ms. Clothier said there have been <br /> no bike share serious injuries or fatalities. Ms. Clothier's other organization, Peoples Advocacy <br /> for Trails Hawaii, conducts educational outreach that includes working with Hope Services <br /> Hawaii to give out helmets to bicycle commuters, to do a bicycle safety check, and bike safety <br /> instruction sessions. <br /> Chair Lee Loy asked Planning Director Michael Yee to come forward and share his thoughts. <br /> Director Yee began by recognizing Ms. Clothier as the "Champion" of Vision Zero, and said the <br /> project that has been in the making for many years as part of a broader push to focus on mobility <br /> issues. Director Yee referenced the three bills pending in the Hawaii State Legislature(SB 1390, <br /> HB 757, and SB 565). While a state mandate on Vision Zero is coming, Maui County and <br /> Hawaii County are ahead of the curve,he said. <br /> PWMTC Report No.2 <br />