HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication Number 2019-04 Alos Intersection Report
Communication No. 2019 - 04
Waikoloa Road / Paniolo Avenue / Pua Melia Street
Update:
Waikoloa Highlands and Waikoloa Mauka, developers in Waikoloa, were responsible for the intersection
improvement to a Roundabout, dating back near 2 decades ago - Developers had done little work on the
timelines for buildout Hawaii Planning Department had given, that included extensions and time
expired. In May the Hawaii State Land Use Commission / LCU slated hearings for the d evelopers to
come forward for an update/ report on their project. Fou r hearings later, on November 28th , LUC 's final
determination on the "Order to Show Cause " found that neither progress n or future plans for the
development were even existing and reverted their zoning from Rural back to Ag. I reviewed numerous
exhibit s t he developers submitted and found R.M. Towill (engineering firm) was paid, by the developers,
for engineering plans sent to Public Works back in 2007, requesting comment/approval of said
"roundabout". I have requested, and am awaiting a reply from PW to locate submitted plans, possibly
review them for future consideration , to save the County money to reinvent this matter, or possibly use
as a tool/documentation for CIP or find a County Budget line item for a "traffic calming" road project to
get this done . Impacts soon to be affecting this intersection include the groundbreaking and
construction of Waikoloa Plaza in the coming months, $1.8MM State approved land funding for a Library
is also on this parcel. HELCO has solicited bid on a 250 acre solar farm 2 miles southeast of this
intersection, quite likely if approved will begin sometime in 2019, Goodfellows has a requested a permit
for a concrete/asphalt batching plant be constructed at their baseyard, makai of intersection, which will
increase heavy equ ipment as well as truck traffic. And the long awaited Hilo landfill closure this year,
anticipate s many more dump trucks; County and private; also passing through the intersection. Since
DKI opened to Mamalahoa Highway in 2013/2014 Waikoloa Road has becom e a major thoroughfare of
East/West traffic heading to Kawaihae, resorts and Queen Ka'ahumanu to Kona adding burden to
Waikoloa Road / Intersection as well . County Police have provided "Traffic Counters" for dual directions
for Waikoloa Road and Paniolo Avenue and have set off alarm for Tim Richards and County Police were
also surprised at the numbers. Accident/incident reports were received from Hawaii State DOT as well
as Hawaii County Traffic department as research on this intersection as well.