HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10 Bath-AC connectivityCommunication No. 2014 -10
From: Steph [mailto:stephbath @gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:18 PM
To: LBROWN @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Fwd: Testimony on CERS and PREP fair
Aloha PCDP Action Committee,
I am testifying to you today as a former SC member who was heavily involved in
the transportation theme of our PCDP process. I testify on behalf of myself and family as a
private citizen.
The PCDP Steering Committee and public were told that details wanted in our plan did not have
to be included at the time of adoption.
Most AC members were not involved in the creation process then.
We were told that those who arrived earlier in the process could explain foundational details of
the plan to AC and collaborate with them as part of the implementation process.
Much positive outcome has happened thanks to CERS and community efforts.That is reassuring
and appreciated!
During the process of creating our plan there was discussion that determining proposed CLs
would happen during the same time period. Locations would be determined based on criteria.
This is being accomplished.
General CLs were initially identified during the PRCP and PCDP and have been confirmed by
the public . Others have been introduced. Now is the time to specifically identify options.
Example:Fern acres has shared that they have road easements in place. This is a win and low
hanging fruit.
I do have a looming core concern. I ask that you please address this concern as an agenda item.
IF only a few CL are determined and secured without a solid plan in place for all, CL options will
disappear. Some communities WILL be more impacted. HA and Ainaloa are the prime targets as
they are already getting it from below and above with no shared CL.
HPP and lower Puna folks WILL continue to use Ainaloa, Orchidland and HA as a solution to
their traffic congestion and emergency needs. They currently override traffic during peak hours
through these communities.The CL is also use as a short cut. This is creating a traffic issue from
Mountain View to Kea'au during peak hours. IF someone does not step up an state that there
WILL BE CL in HPP as indicated in our PCDP things will only get worst for those in upper puna.
As upper puna opens more CL the traffic in lower puna will route up and then back down to
Hilo / Kea'au and the current pattern will increase.
The PREP fairs have produced data
that people overwhelmingly want CL in Puna.
This included folks from HPP. There was not one person opposing it.
Still, dialogue is not occurring to its full potential at the AC level. It is hopeful that at least two of
you will "champion" this issue. I am hopeful that personal desires do not get in the way of
implementation of the plan.
As you are aware there is a well prepared implementation timeline at the back of the PCDP
document.
Lets start collaborating with the sited departments and agencies such as PW and HDOT as we
move forward.
Resources
I am hopeful that with this new AC group that copies of the PCDP will be at every public
meeting as requested NUMEROUS time in the past.
I am hopeful that a copy of the supportive PCDP documents submitted to the County by Plan
Pacific will be available at AC meetings for the public to have general access to. If this is not
possible having hard copies in libraries and the planning office, an creating a place where the
public can sit and have access to read them would be helpful and might engage more people.
(Yes I am aware of their size.)
What good are these documents if they are stored in a box some where at planning? They
reflect the history and foundation of the process. I am not speaking solely of the working group
reports.
Please keep in mind that although you may have access, resources and time to access CDP
things on the web, most I speak with do not or have tried and gave up.
Access to these documents is especially important for those arriving later. For example was this
committee, particularly those who are newer to the process .aware of the documents I speak
of? I am sure that Larry Brown will be happy to route you to them and make them available so
that you can implement this plan in the spirit and with the intent in which it was created. They
are evidence of the foundation of the plan that we are building upon.
Criteria for CL
I request that the public criteria always be put above County in any print.
Additionally I discourage the bold font being used to highlight county criteria points unless the
public criteria is also bold. It focuses to much on County.
This is the peoples plan. The paradigm needs to shift away from County being the one who
dictates to us and to a more community centered base.The County is here to serve us not tell us
how tax dollars will or will not be routed.
You are our mouthpiece when it comes to communicating how we want the plan
implemented:)
9:11121_11:7
Staging and Intent is key.
Civil Defense is partnering with the people of Puna through the AC.
I support the ER element of the fair be delegated to CivilDefense.The connectivity element can
remain with the AC and CERS.
Interpreters:
There are many people in Puna who have English as a second language. It is time to have
interpreters at the fair. There was a specific request last year for sign language in the mapping
room. I told these people that I would push for interpreters this year.
In the ads for the fair make this known. Send out flyers in various languages through the
schools to the families who do not speak English. It can be done. I have seen it done when i was
a volunteered at KES. OUTREACH!
In closing I want to emphasis that the CL long term, impact many elements of the PCDP
implementation. Mass transit feeder routes are amount them.
Until buses start looping in a hub and spoke fashion MTA is likely to continue to give the
squeaky wheel the grease and the mass transit level of service will not be realized for the
greatest amount of people in Puna.
Please request that MTA form a Puna citizens advisory group to collaborate with them. This
group can identify future feeder routes and identify CL that best meet this criteria.
Thanks for your time and renewed commitment to implementing our plan.:)
Stephanie Bath
PO Box 457
Kea'au, Hawaii
96749