Below are some ideas and tools for initial information-gathering efforts. The purpose of these activities is to inventory the current conditions in our community. If obvious opportunities for improvement of our community arise, we will document them.
Planning Area/Study Area
The decision as to what our planning area should be will ultimately be made by the County Planning Department with input from the County Council (or vise versa). For our information-gathering effort, we could assume that the Waimea portion of the planning area might extend from Lakeland on the east to the western edge of the area along Kawaihae Road that is zoned rural (in the vicinity of the chicken farm).
We could call it our "study area" because ultimately "planning area" may be smaller or larger. (Because the "study area" includes areas in the districts of Councilman Holschuh and Councilman Hoffman, both will want to have input.)
Base Maps
We have developed some base maps of the Waimea study area for use by our subcommittees. These base maps are at a scale of 1 inch equals 2,000 feet and can be printed out on 8.5 x 11 paper. Here are some JPEG versions:
Click on the icon at the right corner of your screen to see the images at full size. Larger PaintShopPro versions are also available.
Subcommittee Ideas
The rule of thumb is we will need at least 3 to 5 people on each subcommittee for it to work. It is unlikely that we will be able to get much done in an issue area unless we get that much participation.
The committee will provide someone to meet with each subcommittee and explain (or help you find someone to explain) how to go about answering each of the indicated questions. Which of you would like to participate in the following subcommittees (or suggest others)?
Trails and Parks Subcommittee
What are current plans (routes, etc.) for trials and parks both north and south of Mamalahoa Highway? Are they adequate?
What options are being considered to tie together the trials being proposed for north and south of Mamalahoa Highway?
Is it feasible to replace the Kawaihae Road bridge over Waikoloa Stream to accommodate an east-west trail crossing and simultaneously reduce the potential for flooding?
How can the community support the development of the Nature Park (Ula Laau)?
Pedestrian Pathways Subcommittee
Where does the existing pedestrian pathways network extend? What are the characteristics of our pedestrian pathways (width, pavement, etc.)?
What are some ideas for making our pedestrian pathways and pedestrian crossings safer?
Where are pedestrian pathways needed to make walking in our community a safe and pleasant experience (e.g., connecting neighborhoods with parks and downtown)?
How should new or replacement pedestrian pathways be designed?
What are the available funding options for construction of needed pedestrian pathways?
Roadway Subcommittee
What do available traffic count data tell us about where traffic is generated and what is causing current congestion?
Are there things that can be done by the County in town to reduce congestion?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative routes being proposed for the Waimea Bypass and Kawaihae Bypass?
How can the community support local businesses that will be impacted by the bypasses?
What are the routing and design options being considered by the County for the Lalamilo Collector Road?
What are the routing and design options being considered by the County and Parker Ranch for the Cross Town Collector Road?
What can be done to eliminate the hazardous conditions at Waiaka Bridge?
Zoning Subcommittee
What are the County population projections for our planning area?
What is the current State zoning and County zoning (and land use plan) for our planning area?
What population will the current zoning support?
Will the currently zoned urban, rural and agriculture lands support those who are likely to prefer each price range/lifestyle?
Are there any zoning decisions left for the County to make?
How should smart growth principles enter into zoning decisions?
What are the criteria that the County should use in making zoning changes?
How can projected affordable housing needs be met?
How can conflicts among urban, rural and agricultural land uses be minimized?
Are there any other constraints to zoning decisions (e.g., water supply, soils, flooding, etc.)?
Program Subcommittee
What do our committee members need to learn to accomplish our goals?
What programs should be presented at our meetings?
How can we obtain speakers?
Some topic suggestions are listed here.
Outreach Subcommittee
How can we set up a speaker's bureau for speaking at local organizations?
How can maps and handouts be prepared?
Where can we borrow a digital projector for use at presentations and meetings?
How can website content be generated?
How can an e-mail list/mailing list be maintained?
Subcommittee chairs would direct the work of the subcommittee and report to the committee membership at each membership meeting.
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