07-04-2008, 07:27 AM
Hi Dr. Weatherford,
You wrote: #1.
State Highway 130 is a disaster -- in its current enineering and in the State Dept of Highways plans to do 'improvements' to allow more cars to go faster. The community has repeatedly expressed a big NO to more cars going faster. We need economic development and services in Puna so as to cut the driving.
Why are these mutually exclusive? Why can't the DOT develop a safe road to moderate and control traffic patterns while others implement economic development and services in Puna. 130 is currently entirely unsafe. Traffic engineering is needed to deal with the current traffic patterns. Would widening the road, using traffic lights at key intersections [the ones where all the accidents happen], sufficent left turn pockets allowing for traffic flow with no back up of through traffic, bike lanes, not responsibly address the current travel capacity? Subdivisions out here are already fairly set as to potential in maximum build out. If maximum build out were to happen with no responsible re-engineering of 130 with allowance for community commerce/service centers [strip malls/shopping/services like Malama Market Place, Orchidland Center]road rage would be Puna Makai's newest big issue.
I agree we should learn to create community centers with services and commerce closer to home. It is starting to happen. But, until the price of fuel is so prohibitive it counters the savings people will reap they are going to 'work' in town, shop in town and seek entertainment-recreation in town. We need a mass transit system to be sure but again I ask, is the responsible re-engineering of 130 AND a mass transit system mutually exclusive? It may be more realistic for 130 to be developed responsbily in a shorter time than to expect a plan for mass transit, from concept to approval to funding to fruition, to come online. I am thinking about Honolulu right now and how for the entire 17 yrs I have lived in Hawaii they still have no real mass transit other than a beleagured Bus system. A friend told me in a single day at a few weeks ago ridership went up 1200 and the Buses servicing the routes wound up having to pass by pick up/drop off points due to being filled to maxium ridership. I use this example to show that things get done here at a snails pace. I will concede this point, it appears some of the candidates running for mayor, council seats and legislature seem to be ready willing and desirous of getting the job done. The learning curve, the other slices of pie and the ever present budget shortfalls will no doubt dampen their desire to be forward going.
Sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to toss out the question. I know you will blow me away with your response but I look forward to it because you will no doubt give me something to think about -- not that my mind is vacuous.
By the way, I likely share something with many who post and read here, I am from a small town in California but spent most of my adult life in the three largest cities of California. I have seen the impact poor planning has had on communities where traffic flow is concerned. I have also seen positive impact when visionary people got involved and made things happen. I believe there are visionary people here and I think they are moving and shaking. In my ignorance the growing 'controlled growth' mantra being promoted alarms me. Is it possible the 'controlled growth' initiative may be too nearsighted?
Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. --Albert Einstein
You wrote: #1.
State Highway 130 is a disaster -- in its current enineering and in the State Dept of Highways plans to do 'improvements' to allow more cars to go faster. The community has repeatedly expressed a big NO to more cars going faster. We need economic development and services in Puna so as to cut the driving.
Why are these mutually exclusive? Why can't the DOT develop a safe road to moderate and control traffic patterns while others implement economic development and services in Puna. 130 is currently entirely unsafe. Traffic engineering is needed to deal with the current traffic patterns. Would widening the road, using traffic lights at key intersections [the ones where all the accidents happen], sufficent left turn pockets allowing for traffic flow with no back up of through traffic, bike lanes, not responsibly address the current travel capacity? Subdivisions out here are already fairly set as to potential in maximum build out. If maximum build out were to happen with no responsible re-engineering of 130 with allowance for community commerce/service centers [strip malls/shopping/services like Malama Market Place, Orchidland Center]road rage would be Puna Makai's newest big issue.
I agree we should learn to create community centers with services and commerce closer to home. It is starting to happen. But, until the price of fuel is so prohibitive it counters the savings people will reap they are going to 'work' in town, shop in town and seek entertainment-recreation in town. We need a mass transit system to be sure but again I ask, is the responsible re-engineering of 130 AND a mass transit system mutually exclusive? It may be more realistic for 130 to be developed responsbily in a shorter time than to expect a plan for mass transit, from concept to approval to funding to fruition, to come online. I am thinking about Honolulu right now and how for the entire 17 yrs I have lived in Hawaii they still have no real mass transit other than a beleagured Bus system. A friend told me in a single day at a few weeks ago ridership went up 1200 and the Buses servicing the routes wound up having to pass by pick up/drop off points due to being filled to maxium ridership. I use this example to show that things get done here at a snails pace. I will concede this point, it appears some of the candidates running for mayor, council seats and legislature seem to be ready willing and desirous of getting the job done. The learning curve, the other slices of pie and the ever present budget shortfalls will no doubt dampen their desire to be forward going.
Sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to toss out the question. I know you will blow me away with your response but I look forward to it because you will no doubt give me something to think about -- not that my mind is vacuous.
By the way, I likely share something with many who post and read here, I am from a small town in California but spent most of my adult life in the three largest cities of California. I have seen the impact poor planning has had on communities where traffic flow is concerned. I have also seen positive impact when visionary people got involved and made things happen. I believe there are visionary people here and I think they are moving and shaking. In my ignorance the growing 'controlled growth' mantra being promoted alarms me. Is it possible the 'controlled growth' initiative may be too nearsighted?
Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. --Albert Einstein
"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard, to Guinan (Q Who?)