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Home My WebLink About2012-44 Bath-AC Connectivity Criteria To : Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee\ Re: Connectivity Priority (Connectivity Location Criteria) Aloha Chairman Taylor and AC committee, I am writing to you on behalf of the Connectivity location (cl) criteria talk story group of upper Puna. Our group stems from the Puna Mauka talk story group. Our membership includes Puna Mauka residents living from Kurtistown to Volcano. Our membership is multigenerational including elementary school students to retired seniors. The PCDP identifies health, safety and transportation among key issues of implementation. They are echoed through our plan. Although connectivity addresses these issues it has gotten little attention at the AC level. We see this as a top priority. We have come up with a list of connectivity location criteria. We are hopeful that you will adopt this as the AC sanctioned criteria. Once embraced by this committee the criteria can be taken out to community groups for their review and used in determining the most appropriate proposed site for cl in our community. The same criteria applied to Mauka/Makai Puna during the PCDP discussion as the document was being created. Connectivity location criteria. Does the connectivity location (cl) have any old growth forests, endangered species/habitats, or other natural features that would exclude it from consideration? Managed growth 3.1.1 Goals a. Puna retains a rural character while it protects its native natural and cultural resources. PARKS AND RECREATION 3.5.1 Goals, a. Puna offers a variety of public recreational areas, reflecting the beauty and diversity of the natural setting…. HIGHWAYS 4.4.1 Goals, b. Highway design is more aesthetically pleasing and compatible with the natural and rural character of Puna. Does this cl have any culturally significant sites that might exclude it from consideration? . Managed growth3.1.1 Goals, a. Puna retains a rural character while it protects its native natural and cultural resources Will this connectivity location (cl) meet the intended goals as reflected in the PCDP? Numerous references Does the cl align with other cl’s? (staggered cls are the goal) , 4.3 ROADWAY4.3.3 Actionsa. Short Term (2008-2012),5) Create connectivity alignments between the following subdivisions: Hawaiian Acres and Fern Acres, Fern Acres and Kopua Farm Lots, Eden Rock and Fern Forest, Orchidland and Hawaiian Acres, Nānāwale and Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Beaches and HPP, Kea‘au Agricultural Lots and a site adjacent to Kea‘au Elementary School, ‘Ōhi‘a Estates and Royal Hawaiian Estates. These inter-subdivision roads should be staggered, low-impact, and multi-modal. The general locations are indicated as ovals in Figure 4-1. Will this cl provide balanced access to residents relating to ER needs? (Fire, ambulance, police? Are they consistent with emergency response grids within communities? Managed growth 3.3.1 Goals a. Puna residents have improved access to emergency and primary medical care and preventive public health programs PUBLIC SAFETY AND SANITATION SERVICES3.4.1 Goals, a. All residents have an equitable level of service access to police, fire, and paramedical services. , a. Provide additional locations for emergency services to reduce the response time to a larger percentage of residents. 4.3 ROADWAY NETWORK a. There are adequate emergency and evacuation routes and connectivity throughout Puna’s roadway network. , b. Improvements are phased so that short-term actions support and lead toward projects that will take a longer time to implement. , c. Roadways are pedestrian and bicycle friendly. , d. Traffic congestion and traffic-related health risks are reduced. Communication No. 2012-44 4.3.2 Objectives, a. Create alternative, redundant routes for existing Highways 11, 130 and 132 utilizing existing routes wherever possible., c. Designate new connectivity points for local traffic and emergency and evacuation routes within the existing roadway network. 4.3.3 Actions ,5) Create connectivity alignments between the following subdivisions: Hawaiian Acres and Fern Acres, Fern Acres and Kopua Farm Lots, Eden Rock and Fern Forest, Orchidland and Hawaiian Acres, Nānāwale and Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Beaches and HPP, Kea‘au Agricultural Lots and a site adjacent to Kea‘au Elementary School, ‘Ōhi‘a Estates and Royal Hawaiian Estates. These inter-subdivision roads should be staggered, low-impact, and multi-modal. The general locations are indicated as ovals in Figure 4-1. -2- Is this a flood zone? Can FEMA funds be accessed to improve access to a cl improving ER to residents? 3.4 PUBLIC SAFETY AND SANITATION SERVICES3.4.1 Goals a. All residents have an equitable level of service access to police, fire, and paramedical services. , 3.4.2 Objectives a. Provide additional locations for emergency services to reduce the response time to a larger percentage of residents. Will this cl assist in decreasing the need for excessive driving? ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY, 3.6.1 Goals4.3.1 Goals c. Puna lowers its dependence on fossil fuel as an energy source, becoming a demonstration area for alternative sources, systems and fuels. Will this cl increase the likelihood of youth cycling to school/recreation/MV gym? 4.5 NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND SCENIC BYWAYS a. There are safe walking and bicycling routes to schools, parks and bus stops. c. Puna has a network of contiguous scenic trails between and within subdivisions for walking, bicycling, and horseback-riding. 4.5.2 Objectives, a. Implement a Safe Routes to School (SR2S) programs for all schools in Puna. , b. Survey, acquire rights-of-way for, and develop historic trails for non-motorized travel, which may also be used partially as emergency vehicle or evacuation routes, when needed. , d. Encourage the identification and preservation of historic trails throughout the district. Is there potential for Hele on Mauka/makai feeder routes at this cl? 4.2 MASS TRANSIT4.2.1 Goals a. Mass transportation options are increased for all Puna residents. b. Transit service and improvements reinforce and complement the development of village/town centers. c. A greater percentage of commuters use mass transit. 4.2.2 Objectives a. Convert the present Hele-On Bus routes and services to a “hub-and-spoke” system, with paratransit vehicles bringing passengers from outlying areas to Hele-On Bus hubs and also distributing passengers within the Hilo area. d. Strengthen County capability and resources to operate the transit system and increase ridership. 4.2.3 Actions, a. Prepare a County-wide Transit Master Plan to provide an overall framework for transit improvements while incorporating user input from each district. Will the cl be an effective “redundancy” route when highways 11 and or 130 are shut down? Managed growth3.1.1 Goals,d. Exposure to high risk from natural hazards situations is reduced. 4.3 ROADWAY NETWORK 4.3.1 Goals, a. There are adequate emergency and evacuation routes and connectivity throughout Puna’s roadway network. , 4.3.2 Objectives a. Create alternative, redundant routes for existing Highways 11, 130 and 132 utilizing existing routes wherever possible. c. Designate new connectivity points for local traffic and emergency and evacuation routes within the existing roadway network. , 4.3.3 Actions a. Short Term (2008-2012) 3) Establish emergency routes, using mostly existing road beds; 4) Include pedestrian and bicycling requirements in all projects; and 5) Create connectivity alignments between the following subdivisions: Hawaiian Acres and Fern Acres, Fern Acres and Kopua Farm Lots, Eden Rock and Fern Forest, Orchidland and Hawaiian Acres, Nānāwale and Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Beaches and HPP, Kea‘au Agricultural Lots and a site adjacent to Kea‘au Elementary School, ‘Ōhi‘a Estates and Royal Hawaiian Estates. These inter-subdivision roads should be staggered, low-impact, and multi-modal. The general locations are indicated as ovals in Figure 4-1. -3- Comments from group members relating to connectivity Ease the burden on Hawaiian Acres by creating connectivity to highway 11 from 130 (Patrice McDonald has a proposed plan) Reduce congestion on all routes (multiple comments relating to this) Roads that used to be there [connections between subdivisions that are now blocked off, etc] connecting subdivisions, visit these. ARC reader [may be} used to establish possible cl. Is property available {for cl] This is not a corridor! [Referring to intent of cls] Fuel tax revenue (option) to maintain and build cl Get health and safety funds to create cl, emergency routes Concern about liability DVD film potential cl (reimbursement for gas of those filming) Map requests from County. Can we have them Google map, ARC Open old 4X4 connections Inclusion of S.T.E.M.(science, technology, engineering and math Education opportunities that are engaging to S.T.E.M. interests (multimodal transportation) Propose to AC adoption of our CL criteria [as a means of engaging community in the discussion.] We ended our meeting by identifying our group. We are the connectivity criteria talk story group of upper Puna. [Puna Mauka] Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Bath