Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-8 CERS report-minutes 27Jan15Communication No. 2015 -8 PCDP Subcommittee on Connectivity and Emergency Response Meeting — January 27, 2015 Keaau Community Center 5:00 p.m. MINUTES Call to Order: 5:00 p.m. Call for Approval of Minutes as Circulated (November 25, 2014) — Unanimously approved. Present: Patti Pinto, Farris Eterlee, June Conant, Stephanie Bath, Jon Olson, Marlene Hapai, Chair Old Business: Discussion of Priorities with new lava flow challenges: Due to the need for often immediate response in the Puna District due to recent lava flow activity, at its November 25, 2014 meeting the Subcommittee offered a proactive approach to alleviating highway congestion on Highway 11, thereby making many subdivisions and surrounding areas safer should the need for emergency evacuation occur. It has been projected that with the closing of Highway 130 to lower Puna residents and the subsequent use of Chain of Craters Road for everyday use, another 2000 cars would be added to using Highway 11 each day. The subcommittee once again discussed the following recommendations provided as Connectivity Locations from community input they feel would accomplish this goal by keeping subdivision traffic from Volcano to Keaau within subdivisions, thus helping to negate the increase from Puna resident use for the Puna Uka/Waena area. Other recommendations for Puna Uka/Waena and Puna Waena are CL's especially for emergency and alternate use in existing areas, with some already in progress or completed. Recommendations for: Puna Uka/Waena: Volcano to Keaau (Connectivity through subdivisions) Kaleponi to Punahele (Eden Roc must clear barrier) Punahele to Apele Waimako O Pele to Orchid Pulelehua to Pohaku Alula to 40th Recommendation County improve 40th and Orchidland Volcano to Keaau (Connectivity between Subdivisions and Highway 11, Volcano Highway) Complete South Oshiro Road Connect South Lauko Road to Highway 11 (in progress) Communication No. 2015 -8 Waena: Hawaiian Beaches /Hawaiian Shores to Hawaiian Paradise Park via Railroad Avenue (Done) Hawaiian Beaches /Hawaiian Shores to Hawaiian Paradise Park via Government Beach Road (Done) Hawaiian Paradise Park to Hilo via Railroad Avenue to Keaau By -Pass Intersection, or possibly Milo Street Kai: No recommendations at this time. More information needed. • It was recommended at the CERS November 25, 2014 meeting that Chairs of PCDP Action Committee and CER Subcommittee meet with Warren Lee, Director, County of Hawaii, Department of Public Works, to discuss above recommendations and PCDP section on Transportation 4.33, A.S. Patti Pinto, Chair of the PCDP Action Committee and Marlene Hapai, CERS Chair, met with Warren Lee, Director COH Public Works on January 9, 2015. Ben Ishi, COH Chief Engineer, who Pinto and Hapai had met with in the past to share the information presented on the CERS May 13, 2014 CL Priority Report, was also present at the meeting. It was mainly an informational meeting. Mr. Lee was shown a map of the CL's and presented with the May 13, 2014 CL Priority Report to review as he had received the report in the past. Input received from the public in response to the Priority Report both at PREP fairs, testimony at PCDP meetings and via email from Puna residents was also presented and discussed so if decisions needed to be made prior to the next annual May Priority Report, Mr. Lee would be aware of concerns. A copy of the CERS November 25, 2015 minutes were also presented and discussed to provide the subcommittee's input on connections that could be done to alleviate heavy traffic between Volcano and Keaau. Those connections are given above with an explanation of their benefits to the Puna areas affected. Mr. Lee was also shown a copy of the PCDP with pages significant to connectivity and the overall plan. • Recommendations to follow up on the meeting with Mr. Lee were then given by subcommittee members. 1. If federal funds are available, use for connector lots for CL's 2. Use federal transportation funds for federal roads. Highway 11 that services many Hawaii Volcanoes National Park visitors should be maintained by federal funds thus releasing state and county funds to work on state and county roads and connectivity locations. 3. Transportation should be use driven. 4. Recommendation CERS representatives meet with State Representatives San Buenaventura and Onishi, Senator Ruderman and Congressional Representative Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Brian Schatz and share the charge and actions of the CERS. 5. Recommended CERS find documentation from Representative Patsy Mink in the late 90's that led to purchase of lots on Hawaiian Acres Road 8 for an emergency road to pattern present requests after. Communication No. 2015 -8 New Business: An open discussion commenced which focused on topics of concern to CERS members and others in attendance. The major topic was Highway l land its problem areas. The following list provides problems encountered on use of Highway 11 and solutions to some of these. 1. Kurtistown Traffic Light — backing up traffic. Timing of light needs to be changed giving through traffic more time 2. Add pass lanes — Mt. View — above Catholic Church 3. Need rest stops, bathrooms- Glenwood mentioned as one option 4. Restore right turn lane in upper Keaau, across Filipino camp 5. Install Call Boxes for cell phone dead areas on Highway 11 6. Mt.View Post Office needs traffic redirected from back of parking lot to Mt. View Village. High traffic accident area. Produce map to show accidents and fatalities in this area. 7. Add street lights to Highway 11 8. Add shoulders where feasible to Highway 11 9. Add bike lanes 10. Extend turn lanes at Keaau /Shipman Park intersection 11. Install traffic light at Kuauli (entrance to Hawaiian Acres) and Highway 11 intersection across from Assembly of God Church Next Meeting: February 24, 2015, 5:00 p.m. Location: Keaau Community Center Adjournment: 6:30 p.m.