Orchidland Drive damaging vehicles

[Ho'oponopono]

I'm amazed that Hawaii can't manage basic infrastructure such as "paved roads" (or, in many cases, "adequate roads").

What's even more incredible is that people continue to tolerate it.

Is the "cheap land, low taxes" really worth crappy roads, no mail delivery, and gaming Amazon for packages?

Serious question.

You probably need to ask yourself that serious question

[AaronM]

I think their 14K posts answers the serious question of commitment.

[Punaperson]

terracore: 'Social media reported that the contractor dug/broke up the last several years of cold patch and other temporary solutions and graded / compacted it back down. So not a real repair, no paving, more like tearing off a bunch of band-aids and recycling them into a larger band aid.'

I saw your post, but did not have an opportunity to respond at the time. I spoke to the guys doing road 'repairs', and they said that due to shortage of gas, they were unable to do asphalt patches at this time.

But to address the more basic problem:

- The intersection is a convergence of state highway, county waterline, and private road, and we all know how those entities pass the buck whenever possible.

- The Morman Church's dry wells in their parking lot have filled up over the years and no longer function as intended. This causes all the water from the parking lot to pond in the intersection, the low point of the area.

- None of the commercial enterprises that cause the high traffic pay road fees: Wikimart/gas station, Orchidland General Store, Blanes, Kaleo's. It's a long story as to why this situation exists: they should, but they don't. The result is that the community association's road fund cannot afford to fix this one intersection and ignore the other 40 miles of road it has to maintain.

[terracore]

It has been reported that with the exception of Kaleos, the businesses mentioned above are renting / leasing and paying road fees is not their responsibility, it is the responsibility of their landlord.

I don't have any way to prove or disprove such reporting.  Just filling in for the advocatus diaboli.

[Chas]

It is ironic that the ONLY reason the road wears out is BECAUSE of those businesses. That's the only reason I drive on it.

Hell, I'd be willing to donate to a "repave the road" fund if it was a possibility. I LOVE all those businesses, and am glad they are there.

[terracore]

The traffic certainly doesn't help but it's the rain that washes away the band-aids. If they can't address the runoff problems the only real solution is to fix it with concrete like they did the area on Pohaku that washed out after every big storm.

[kalakoa]

Problem is, "they" don't care about the roads, nor do they have any reason to. Just another "Puna thing".

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

"they" don't care about the roads

It’s not a negative for the Orchidland businesses.  You have to drive so slow you have time to inventory your beer and chips supply in your head before you’d have to turn around and go back for a 6 pack.  Or figure out if you’re so hungry you need to stop immediately for food at Kaleos or Blaine’s.  Ummm… burgers….

[AaronM]

Thank you TC

[Chas]

Drove by today and they had the road blocked off. They were paving it!