HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication Number 2017-08 Kawaihae Subcommittee Report - NovemberCommunication no. 2017-08
SOUTH KOHALA CDPAC
LIAISON REPORT
NOVEMBER 27, 2017
Over the years since May 24, 2010, issues have been brought to the Action Committee; but the Action
never went anywhere. According to the Sunshine Law training of CDPAC members, a Sub Committee
meets three times. 1) Once to bring the issue forward (Mr. John Hustace, chairman of the South Kohala
Traffic Safety Meeting at the presentation to the CDP Action Committee -July 24, 2017). 2) Once to
discuss the matter (Kawaihae CDP Sub Committee -November 7, 2017 5PM at Spencer Park Pavilion),
and report to the Action Committee; 3) the issue can be brought before the Action Committee for
action.
Mr. Hustace presentation -Page 117, Policy 4 -Government improve traffic safety
1. Kawaihae Road/Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway Intersection
2. Kawaihae Bike Safety Issues at Pohaukole, Makeahua and Makahuna Bridges. (Issued
received unanimous approval of support at SKTSC)).
3. Akoni Pule and Kawaihae Road intersection
4. No parking on the shoulders
5. Maintenance and Repair
Item #2 was brought forward previously at SKTSC, but at the time, there seemed no rush to move the
issue. Within the last year, Bike Tours seem to travel in groups -every day, any time of the day, and in
packs between 8-12 bikes at a time. The location of concern was identified. A proposal was made
to move the bike shoulders outside the bridge for traffic safety. The CDP is a County "authority". This
location is a State Highway.
This location is below the Pu'ukohola Heiau, near the National Park Storage Building. The Kohala
Lane (going towards the harbor) seems to have a "blind turn" at the top. The bridge in the middle
(Makahuna Bridge) has narrow shoulders; that the bikers must ride in the lane of traffic. The
identified vehicles that pose the most risk are the truck traffic that must travel to and from the harbor.
Sometimes with a heavy load, these trucks reach a maximum 35 mph. (The mph seem to be okay).
To move this initiative, The South Kohala CDP Sub -Committee called a meeting of Bike stakeholders,
and the property owners: National Park Service, Queen Emma Trust. The property owners were not
present, not all of the invited guests attended. The meeting turned into a "Talk Story". The speaker
Mr. Donald Smith, Managing Engineer -Hilo, did not attend. Mr. Smith has not attended any of the
South Kohala Traffic Safety Council either. A request letter was sent to Mr. Ford Fuchigami, Director
of State Transportation, for assistance on this matter
The result, Tina Owens of PATH -a non-profit biking community, has volunteered to gather a list of
bikers using this area. Another meeting was agreed upon. No date was proposed.
Submitted by,
Jojo Tanimoto, Kawaihae Sub Committee -Chairperson