I Can't Drive 55 (Highway 130 edition)

[Kapoho Joe]

Decided to brave the wild road this morning and was treated to a solid stop just before Orchidland. Figured out down the road that it was due to rubberneckers observing the stripe a line crew. 50 minutes to Puinako from Pahoa town. I pity the commuters.

[kalakoa]

Every neighbor I've spoken to over the years would not consider a major road in front of their home an improvement.

...and yet, every neighbor bought property without County committing to any long-term development plan. Though unlikely, that "major road" could happen "right next to" anyone, because nobody ever decided where it "should" eventually be built.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

that "major road" could happen "right next to" anyone

but more likely to happen bordering lots valued at $40,000 rather than lots worth $250,000, as purchasing the right of way from the latter could add up quickly. Probably need a study to count lots, apply values to the corridor, and add up the total. Multiple studies, for multiple corridors, because they'll pick a "preferred" route, and when that's rejected, they'll move on to "Preferred Plan B."

"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." -James Madison, The Federalist Papers, 1787

[Kapoho Joe]

Stay tuned for more updates coming in 2020...

[Punaperson]

Leilanidude: 'Between the airport and HPP, along the coast, there'a whole lot-o nuttin. Yes, this is the "makai of the hi-way" solution. I really think it's the only feasible long-term solution.' I\

If I'm not mistaken, no state or federal monies can go towards a road/highway located in the tsunami evacuation zone. The county does not have the money to build it on its own.

[kalakoa]

county does not have the money to build it on its own.

But they just raised the fuel tax to "pay for roads"!

[ironyak]

county does not have the money to build it on its own.

But they just raised the fuel tax to "pay for roads"

Lucky for the county, there are no roads to be seen around Puna - just a bunch of irregularly-shaped, associated-owned lots of improper width (which they had nothing to do with creating of course At least the alignment shops are available (in Hilo).

[Chunkster]

Until and unless a route makai of the current highway is part of the state DOT master plan, there will be no state or federal funding for it.
Punaperson is right about the county not having the bucks, and they wouldn't spend it on Puna even if they did. It is not currently in the master plan, and the last word from the DOT was, "When we finish the improvements to 130, we may consider that." Oh, and while Punaperson is certainly correct about it needing to be outside the tsunami zone, I would also add that it ideally needs to be free of any burials and/or cultural sites.

And then there is the soon to be declared sacred status of any connection to, passage over, or usurpation of the "private" HPP roads. How could HPP's roads be sacred? Because anything that such a large number of people could bicker over, ruminate upon, and become livid nearly to the point of violence for almost 60 years will certainly be given religious status long before any alternate route is built. It will be a "cultural tradition" at the very least by that time.

[Kapoho Joe]

I gotta say, the worse the traffic gets on 130, the less people I see on the red road. Trade-off being that it takes over 45 mins to get to town these days...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

How could HPP's roads be sacred? Because anything that such a large number of people could bicker over, ruminate upon, and become livid...

Chunkster -
I worship Paradise Drive and the smooth surface upon which I drive, a manifestation of our spiritual center beneath which lies the core of our existence upon this planet Earth.

Maku'u Drive, Kaloli Drive, Shower Drive, and the minor numerical or alphabetic cross roads are but graven images, or gravel images of the one true Paradise Drive, whose name is taken from the very subdivision itself.

Those who do not worship the One True Drive are an abomination, infidels to the ideals of HPPOA. As are the board members of HPPOA (see other threads).


"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." -James Madison, The Federalist Papers, 1787