HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWMTC 008 2019/05/07 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: May 7, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 238/Res.No. 141-19
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:17 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Resolution
No. 141-19, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 141-19,transmitted by Committee Chair Susan L.K. Lee Loy via
Communication No. 238, dated April 10, 2019, authorizes the temporary closure of Keaukaha
Road on a nightly basis to prevent loitering, littering, and other illegal activity. The Chief of
Police, the Director of Public Works, and the Director of Parks and Recreation would be
requested to determine the appropriate times for the evening closure and the morning reopening
of Keaukaha Road. A gate would be established on Keaukaha Road at its intersection with
Kamokuna Street, along with appropriate signage. The resolution states that it is not intended to
prevent the County from reopening Keaukaha Road for purposes of rerouting traffic or providing
public safety services.
Before the discussion began, Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy relinquished the role of presiding
officer to Vice Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
Committee Member Lee Loy said this was the latest step in addressing some of the issues at the
place commonly known as "Four Miles."Previous legislation prohibited alcohol at Kealoha
Beach Park and established a one-way traffic pattern on Keaukaha Road. The community has
been asking to close the road in the evening as a result of the illegal drug and alcohol use that has
been occurring there. She asked Community Police Officer Matt Lewis to provide further
information.
Officer Lewis, speaking from Hilo, said the request had come forward from the community. He
was grateful that it is coming forward through the Council, and said the next step was to make
improvements to Kealoha Beach Park. Moving the gate down the road will help some of the
issues.
Committee Member Lee Loy referenced the exhibits included as a part of Resolution No. 141-19
as evidence that the authorization to close Keaukaha Road had met all four criteria enumerated in
Section 24-153.3 of the County Code.
There was no further discussion.
. PWMTC Report No: 8
PWMTC-8 Page 2 May 7,2019
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 141-19, and recommends its adoption.
ps
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG _ X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
EOFF X AND M• ►,
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X . IIPIP
KIERKIEWICZ X '�
LEE LOY X L�" ...i. b.._
POINDEXTER XL. K. L'` . CHA 1
RICHARDS X PWMTC REP•RT O. 8
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: MAY 2 1 2019