From: Bets Lawrence [lawrence@ilhawaii.net]
Sent:
Thursday, September 29, 2005 5:41 PM
To: Price Mike
Subject:
DRAFT SKTSC Minutes for 9/13/05
DRAFT SOUTH KOHALA TRAFFIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE DRAFT
Minutes
September 13, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Mike Price called
the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Waimea Civic Center Conference
Room.
ATTENDANCE: Josh & Janice Akana, Jim Anonsen, Paula Beamer, Ken
Block, Steve Bowles, Ardis Hoppy Brown, James Frazier, Michael Fromme, Murray
Gardner, Anne & David Gomes, Bob Hunter, Bets Lawrence, Keoki Magoon, Bruce
McClure, Gunner Mensch, Myles Miyasato, Jackie Murai - HI County Police Dept.
Traffic Services, Janine Packet, Mike Price, John Ray, J. William Sanborn, Riley
Smith, Stanley Tamura, John Tarson, Ronald Thiel, Alice Tinsman, Capt. Kenneth
Vieira, Sherman Warner, Alan Winters.
MINUTES of August 9, 2005 were
approved as circulated.
SPECIAL GUEST: Jackie Murai, Coordinator of
Mayor’s the Impaired Drivers’ Task Force works out of Police Traffic Safety in
Hilo. Their next meeting will be on Wed., Sept. 21 at 9 AM. People may attend at
the Prosecutor’s Office in Hilo or Kailua-Kona.
STATE: “Truckers Kokua
- No Engine Brakes Next Mile” - Thanks to Stanley Tamura for the speedy
removal of the sign by Wai`aka Street. Mike Price wrote to Brennon Morioka as
directed at our last meeting (letter attached).
Kawaihae Road
Guardrail/Shoulder Widening Project from mile marker 66 to Wai`aka Bridge
started this month.
State Transportation Improvement Project (STIP)
Constrained List - Mike Price wrote to Ronald Tsuzuki (letter attached). Mr.
Tsuzuki responded that the majority of our comments will be considered. Scenic
pullouts, vehicular rest stops and emergency truck ramps are currently being
examined. All of our suggestions will be forwarded to the
consultant.
Pu`uanahulu 35 mph Speed Limit letter was sent as a
joint effort by SKTSC and Kona TSC to DOT.
COUNTY:
Lindsey/Kawaihae Intersection Restriping - Our thanks to Ron Thiel. The
painters are working this afternoon. Ron explained that they were rained out
three times. One dry day a crew driving through Waimea painted the yellow lines,
but that was all the paint they had.
Mamalahoa Hwy/Keaka Kea
Street - The County did counts here and found that although the traffic is
heavy there is a seven second pedestrian gap on average every sixty seconds (one
every minute). Ron will be meeting with O`ahu Traffic Engineer Office on Sept.
23 to review crosswalk policies.
Pukalani/Mamalahoa Intersection
- Six County people counted traffic here from 7 to 8 AM and 4 to 5 PM to find
peak 15 minute periods. The morning peak was 7:45 to 8 AM, but because of
gridlock they got misleading information: a very low peak for the afternoon.
They are tweaking the signals at Kamamalu (by the Police Station), throwing them
out of synchronization. They were set at 150 seconds, but have been reset to 180
seconds which seems to be clearing Mamalahoa. The Police Station light has been
watched for a week. A recount will be done soon. Another backup is caused by
left turn traffic further east on Mamalahoa which validates the need for a third
lane there.
Lindsey Road Bridge - Pictures were distributed of
jacks under the bridge. Bruce McClure explained that the jacks allow trucks up
to 40 tons, which is a legal load, to use the bridge. He said an improved bridge
is on the CIP for next year, but it is not on the Constrained List. In response
to concerns that the jacks could be wiped out by storm debris it was explained
that even if the jacks, which are not locked in, were to wash out, the bridge
would still be safe. Another concern voiced was the stream bed being used as a
dump for construction and other debris. Very large amounts of green waste that
included 10 foot long 12 inch diameter sections of trees were dumped upstream
off the water supply road. Landowners adjacent to the stream are responsible for
keeping their sections clear. No responsible agency was
identified.
Adjusted Average Daily Traffic - Ron Thiel distributed
a map of Hawai`i Island showing State 2002 Adjusted Average Daily Traffic. He
pointed out that Waimea town had 18,781 vehicles a day three years ago, and that
probably 11,000 were local traffic. 2004 figures could be one third
higher.
Waikoloa - The County has had a request for a left turn
lane from Paniolo into Waikoloa Hills since Sept. 2003. Ron Thiel explained that
in order to do this the present striping has to be covered which will be done
with a repaving project. Ron is working on new striping plans, which could be
done by the end of the year.
Three missing lights on Paniolo have been
replaced. Mike Price thanks Ron for getting this done.
Pot holes and
crosswalk striping on Paniolo have been getting worse and worse, especially with
all the heavy trucking. Bruce McClure has Paniolo scheduled for resurfacing and
restriping to accomodate an additional bicycle lane.
Alice Tinsman asked Ron
to have the pedestrian button on the signal lights by Waikoloa Elementary School
repaired. It gets taped back on, but still doesn’t work.
Paniolo Club Condos
sidewalk is uplifted two inches, and has been spray painted red to warn of the
hazard. Ron says Stanley Nakasone, Highway Maintenance Superintendent, wrote to
Paniolo Club that they must do something about the tree roots and oleander
before the County can repair it.
Repaving Mamalahoa Hwy from Mud Lane
to Town - Bruce McClure said geo-fabric with a four inch overlay will be
installed on Mamalahoa from Mud Lane to Keaka Kea Street (by Don’s Pake
Kitchen). They are trying to arrange night paving, but it takes a lot of
coordination to adjust County employee work schedules for the evening,
especially with workers who hold down two jobs. Pending weather the job should
take two weeks.
Hoku`ula, Spencer, Konokohau & La`e La`e Roads 20
mph Speed Limit - We’ve received a copy of a letter from Mayor Kim and Bruce
McClure to the County Council recommending adoption of Traffic Code Amendment to
lower the speed limits on these roads to 20 mph. Until the ordinance is passed
police can only stop speeders, but can’t ticket them.
Waimea Traffic
Solutions - Mike Price wrote to DPW with our recommendations (letter
attached). Ron Thiel says removing the island on Mamalahoa between North Hawai`i
Community Hospital (NHCH) and Keck would not create a third lane, and even if
one were created traffic would still block up at Kamamalu.
Riley Smith says
Parker Ranch is working with Dept. of Public Works about PR’s connector road.
County standards require a bridge over the drainage channel built to divert
flooding around the town center. One part of the channel is 70 feet deep and 70
feet wide. If part of the $10M County Bond fund could be used to build this
connector road now, PR would pay them back later.
POLICE: Capt. Vieira
reported 170 moving violations the past month, 121 of which were speeding. Also
six DUI arrests and 44 seat belt violations. The police stepped up DUI and
speeding efforts for the Labor Day weekend.
Mike Price thanked the police for
the speed boards in Waikoloa and approaching Waimea at the old vacuum cooling
plant which have slowed drivers down a lot.
NEW BUSINESS: Waste
Hauling Through Waimea - With the partial funding approved by the County
Council there may be fewer than the projected 90 trucks per day. Riley Smith
pointed out that comparing an additional 90 with the 18,000 vehicles per day
mentioned on the Average Daily Traffic counts isn’t a large percentage increase.
Bill Sanborn, Environmental Management Commission, says they are working on
getting the Dept. of Health to give an extension of time to the Hilo Landfill.
If they get it there’ll be fewer trucks. Time of day is a safety issue.
Alice Tinsman says Waikoloa Road is deteriorating, especially west of the
village, so having all those heavily loaded garbage trucks on it will cause even
more damage. Bruce McClure stated resurfacing another section of Waikoloa Road
is scheduled and will be coordinated with resurfacing Paniolo Avenue in
Waikoloa.
NEXT MEETING: October 11, 2005 at 4 p.m. at the Waimea Civic
Center Conference Room.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Bets Lawrence, Secretary
Mike
Price
South
Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
P.O.
Box 383375
Waikoloa, HI 96738
September
12,
2005
Mr.
Brennon Morioka, Deputy
Director
State of Hawaii
Department of Transportation
Highways Division
869 Punchbowl
Street, Room 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
RE:
Unauthorized no engine brake sign
Dear
Mr.
Morioka;
At
the August 9, 2005 regular meeting of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee,
Alan Winters and Kevin Balog, of the trucking industry, questioned the committee
about a sign posted on DOT signage stating “Trucker’s Kokua No Engine Brakes
Next Mile” along the Kawaihae Road. Since the committee was set up by the
County to gather input and make comments and recommendations to the State
and County related to traffic safety, the matter was referred to Stanley Tamura
for investigation. The sign was removed shortly after the meeting by a DOT
work crew.
A
motion was approved to write a letter to the state supporting the truck drivers'
concern for safety on this stretch of roadway by protesting the sign
placement. If unfamiliar truck drivers respected this sign and did not use
their engine brakes to slow down, there would be a potential for a runaway truck
crash with injuries and fatalities. Many felt the people who installed
this sign were jeopardizing the safety of all vehicle operators. This
amounts to an irresponsible and dangerous act. South Kohala Traffic Safety
Committee does not support such behavior and is thankful that the situation was
corrected expeditiously by DOT and there were no reported injuries or losses
that could have occurred.
The
truckers made some other comments and recommendations that we wish to bring to
your attention. Both truckers have no complaint or protest regarding the
two signs legally posted by the County at the outskirts of Waimea.
However, they strongly feel engine brakes save lives and that is more important
than noise. Impatient drivers pulling in front of an oncoming truck are
saved from injury by the stopping power of the device. Engine brakes or
"jake brakes" are muffled through O.E.M. mufflers.
A
recent investigation was conducted by the Hawaii County Police Department on
Hina Lani St. to measure engine brake noise. Results found no violation to
acceptable noise levels.
As
engine brakes (noise) are already manufactured within federal guidelines and is
such an integral part of safety for all, it is suggested that the DOT and DOH
focus on educating the public about engine brake noise without jeopardizing the
safety function of the device. Truckers need to operate their equipment
within the parameters of acceptable noise levels.
Mahalo
again for removing the unauthorized sign and consideration of the comments and
recommendations made by the truckers.
Sincerely,
Mike
Price-Chair South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
CC:
State Senator Lorraine
Inouye
State Representative Cindy Evans
Councilman Pete
Hoffmann
Councilman Fred
Holschuh
Rodney Haraga-Director DOT Highways Division
Stanley Tamura-District Engineer DOT Highways Division
South
Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
P.O. Box 383375
Waikoloa, HI
96738
July 1, 2005
Mr. Ronald Tsuzuki
State of
Hawaii Department of Transportation
Highways Division, Planning Branch
869
Punchbowl Street, Room 301
Honolulu, HI
96813
RE: Kawaihae Road Bypass
Comments
Dear Mr. Tsuzuki;
At the May 10, 2005 Meeting
of South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee safety and other concerns related to
the proposed Kawaihae Bypass were discussed by the membership. A major
concern is that this new road will be the main connector between East and West
Hawai’i. As the Island population grows, future traffic on this road will
increase substantially. Many members remember the light use at first of
the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. Today this is a heavily used congested route
with many safety issues. Most members feel strongly that this project
should be designed for the future potential and planned growth. Purchase
of a wide Right of Way now will avoid rising real estate costs and access
problems in the future. The current situation with the Waimea Bypass
Project is a good example of the problems that can be avoided by purchase and
establishing a ROW adequate for the future. If funding is not available to
build a “super highway now”, design and procure the necessary ROW now is the
point.
The following comments were made by the membership for your
review and consideration;
1
Interchanges:
a.
Grade separated interchanges are
preferred. Right of Way and design should be for future needs. Land
is cheaper now than in the future.
b.
Subdivisions, such as Ouli, Anekona and
Kanehoa, are along the route. These properties need interchange access now
and accommodation for future growth. None of these subdivisions are built
out. Future expanded growth should be in the design.
c.
Consideration in the design is needed
for the proposed Regional Park Site across from the Waimea Kohala Airport.
See attached plot plan.
d.
Design and coordinate with Hawaii
County Dept. of Public Works an interchange for a proposed future County Road
extension of Paniolo Avenue in Waikoloa Village, to run north and connect to the
bypass.
e.
Consideration should also be given for
a future makai connection to the south leg of the proposed 1970 alignment of the
Kawaihae Bypass where it is proposed to intersect Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway
(Rte19) near Hapuna Beach.
f.
Both intersections mentioned above need
to be in the design to relieve congestion in Waikoloa Village. The makai
intersection is needed due to: the large number of Waikoloa Village residents
commuting to work at the South Kohala Coast Resorts (Waikoloa Beach, Mauna Lani
and Hapuna/Mauna Kea); the need for an alternate route to the coast to
relieve congestion on Waikoloa Road, and for a safe evacuation alternate
route out of Waikoloa Village.
g.
Kawaihae Harbor area interchange at
Akoni Pule Highway needs redesign and accommodations for harbor traffic and
local businesses.
h.
Kawaihae Harbor expansion and other
growth at this location need to be included in the design of the Bypass and the
extension into the Harbor.
2
Slow traffic lane for trucks to pull
off on steep grades.
3 Runaway truck ramps designed and
constructed concurrently with roadway.
4 Pull offs for tourists to look at
views, or tired drivers to rest. Design for future rest stop with
restrooms.
5 Need for smooth flow of commercial
traffic. Bypass will gain 2600 feet of elevation within 12
miles. No stop lights. Keep traffic moving with separated grade interchange
ramps for smooth transition of commercial trucks and other vehicles into and out
of traffic flow.
6 Divided highway. Build two lanes now.
Eventually build two more as a divided highway with planted medians so that two
lanes will be westbound, and two eastbound. This will provide slow and
turn lanes while maintaining a free flow lane. Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway
design has resulted in too many head on collisions.
7 Build the highway beyond present
needs - triple what we seem to need now. Build for future needs and
expansion.
8
Accentuate SAFETY in designing grade,
and for mix of use: workers, residents, tourists, and commercial trucks
including trucks hauling fuel.
We appreciate the opportunity to
comment on this long awaited project and hope you will keep South Kohala Traffic
Safety Committee informed as the project progresses. Hopefully the end
result will be a well designed, safe roadway that serves present and future
needs. Mahalo for your consideration of these
comments.
Sincerely,
Mike Price-Chair South
Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
CC: State Senator Lorraine
Inouye
State Representative Cindy
Evans
Councilman Pete
Hoffmann
Councilman Fred
Holschuh
Brennon Morioka-DOT
Highways Division
Stanley
Tamura-District Engineer DOT Highways Division
Bruce McClure-Director County Department of Public
Works
Galen Kuba-Division
Chief County Department of Public Works Engineering Division
South
Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
P.O. Box 383375
Waikoloa, HI
96738
September 2,
2005
Mr.
Bruce McClure Director
Hawaii County Department of Public Works
101 Pauahi
Street, Suite 7
Hilo, HI
96720-42
RE: County CIP
Bond—Waimea Traffic Solution Recommendations
Dear Mr.
McClure;
At the August 9, 2005 Meeting of South Kohala Traffic
Safety Committee the membership discussed suggestions to solve traffic
congestion through Waimea submitted by the Waimea Traffic Solutions
Subcommittee. A motion was passed to recommend the following suggestions
for consideration by Department of Public Works;
1 Install more
left hand turn lanes on Mamalahoa HWY into schools, businesses and shopping
centers with high traffic flows especially at rush hour times from Kaomoloa Road
to Keaka Kea Pl, and HWY 19 intersection with Mamalahoa HWY to Laelae (Kawaihae
Road).
2 Widen Mamalahoa into 2 lanes each way, add a double left
turn lane, or add a third “zipper lane” to change direction from going West in
AM to East in the PM if resources are available.
3 Redesign roadway
to eliminate the bottle neck on Mamalahoa between Pukalani Road intersection and
Kamamalu Road. Especially the East bound lanes going by the
Hospital.
4 Another lane on Mamalahoa going East fronting Waimea
Elementary School to ease congestion for the traffic turning left onto Lindsey
Road.
5 Signalization through Waimea especially the signals at
Mamalahoa/HWY 19, Pukalani/Mamalalohoa needs increased monitoring and
synchronization to improve traffic flow.
6 Most important is that a
comprehensive traffic study be conducted and an analysis made of morning and
afternoon rush hour traffic. Daily and weekly traffic counts need to be
taken on Mamalahoa and alternative routes being used through residential
neighborhoods and Lindsey Road. Future garbage hauling through Waimea, as
well as chip trucks and proposed Super Ferry traffic need consideration in the
study. Parker Ranch’s 2020 Plan needs consideration also. In the
past, a one day traffic study once a year was performed. Data from these
one day studies give indication of increased traffic, but have limited
significance
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this long
awaited project and hope you will keep South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
informed as the project progresses. Hopefully the end result will be
improved safe traffic flow to meet present and future needs. Mahalo for
your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
Mike
Price-Chair South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee
CC: State Senator
Lorraine Inouye
State Representative Cindy Evans
Councilman Pete
Hoffmann
Councilman Fred Holschuh
Rodney Haraga-Director Department of
Transportation
Brennon Morioka-DOT Highways Division
Stanley
Tamura-District Engineer DOT Highways Division
Bruce McClure-Director County
Department of Public Works
Galen Kuba-Division Chief County Department of
Public Works Engineering Division