Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT <br /> DATE: May 7, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 238/Res.No. 141-19 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 9:17 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Resolution <br /> No. 141-19, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 141-19,transmitted by Committee Chair Susan L.K. Lee Loy via <br /> Communication No. 238, dated April 10, 2019, authorizes the temporary closure of Keaukaha <br /> Road on a nightly basis to prevent loitering, littering, and other illegal activity. The Chief of <br /> Police, the Director of Public Works, and the Director of Parks and Recreation would be <br /> requested to determine the appropriate times for the evening closure and the morning reopening <br /> of Keaukaha Road. A gate would be established on Keaukaha Road at its intersection with <br /> Kamokuna Street, along with appropriate signage. The resolution states that it is not intended to <br /> prevent the County from reopening Keaukaha Road for purposes of rerouting traffic or providing <br /> public safety services. <br /> Before the discussion began, Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy relinquished the role of presiding <br /> officer to Vice Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. <br /> Committee Member Lee Loy said this was the latest step in addressing some of the issues at the <br /> place commonly known as "Four Miles."Previous legislation prohibited alcohol at Kealoha <br /> Beach Park and established a one-way traffic pattern on Keaukaha Road. The community has <br /> been asking to close the road in the evening as a result of the illegal drug and alcohol use that has <br /> been occurring there. She asked Community Police Officer Matt Lewis to provide further <br /> information. <br /> Officer Lewis, speaking from Hilo, said the request had come forward from the community. He <br /> was grateful that it is coming forward through the Council, and said the next step was to make <br /> improvements to Kealoha Beach Park. Moving the gate down the road will help some of the <br /> issues. <br /> Committee Member Lee Loy referenced the exhibits included as a part of Resolution No. 141-19 <br /> as evidence that the authorization to close Keaukaha Road had met all four criteria enumerated in <br /> Section 24-153.3 of the County Code. <br /> There was no further discussion. <br /> . PWMTC Report No: 8 <br />