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"utilize the police force that we have already "
This is EXACTLY what I propose: we already have a Police helicopter and all the support services that go with it.
Also, when I see at least 4 police officers dispatched for all day at a Council meeting, I reckon we have some manpower we can re-allocate.
NO NEW RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY ON HWY 130 --but something sure is needed to protect life and property there.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
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Do more roads bring more traffic? I think they would encourage it.
Do overcrowded roads bring more traffic? I think they discourage it.
Just as expensive gas makes us re-evaluate our driving habits, overcrowded roads should do likewise.
I think fewer vehicles on the road at one time is a more reasonable solution.
Impossible? Not with GOOD mass transit, a decentralized (village) economy, staggered government office and school hours, etc.
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quote:
Originally posted by Greg
I think fewer vehicles on the road at one time is a more reasonable solution.
Impossible? Not with GOOD mass transit, a decentralized (village) economy, staggered government office and school hours, etc.
This is why the Puna Community Development Plan is such a very big deal. It is our best hope to accomplish these things. We have to remain vigilant to make sure the Plan is enacted and enforced in the spirit in which it was created.
Keeping my ears and eyes open,
Jerry
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quote:
Originally posted by james weatherford...
The only reason to be worried is if you are one of the scofflaws...
Not to derail but to add some comic relief! Cant you see us dancing down 130? (sorry Dr J just had to do it! )
From Wikipedia -
The Scofflaws are a New York-based third wave ska band that debuted in the early 90s. Known for their rambunctious live shows, technically proficient horn solos and tight arrangements, The Scofflaws were one of the top 3rd wave ska acts of the early 90's and one of the most beloved bands on the now-defunct Moon Ska label...
Although The Scofflaws have not released a studio recording since 1998, they continue to perform live gigs in the New York City area and are still fondly remembered by many ska fans as a driving force in establishing the U.S. ska scene in the 90's.
With all due respect -- you guys are ignoring the facts about the tourist influx onto 130. 5000 visitors a day?
I talk to a lot of visitors and I can tell you
They are not going to stay away because the road is inadequate
they are not even going to learn anything about the road before heading out. Most are doing good to get a map showing the correct route.
They are not going to carpool, take mass transit, bicycle, or do anything but get in the car and drive the roads, and they have every right to do so!
Until Pele shuts off the flow through Royal Gardens, get used to a whole lot more new cars on 130 during rush hour ... because most visitors will be coming down from the VNP or Hilo in the late afternoon.
It may sound like I'm being harsh, but I feel like so many of you are extremely caught up in your own environmentally sound perspective, and caught up in thinking of Puna as a place that can define itself and control growth. But one little flip of the vent switch and Puna is literally the hottest tourist zone for a hit and run drive-by on the whole island.
People are planning day trips on vacations where they were really going to Maui or Waikiki, for example, just to drive down 130 and see lava.
They do not care about the price of gas. They paid thousands of dollars to come see the volcano! They can handle the gas price.
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quote:
Originally posted by KathyH
They do not care about the price of gas. They paid thousands of dollars to come see the volcano! They can handle the gas price.
True that. True too that many people have schedules to keep, kids to pick up, multiple stops to make and live in the boonies... mass transit can only go so far. But even before Pele began to flow through Royal Gardens there was the bottleneck there in Kea'au.
I still don't understand the logic behind keeping the roads below par in an attempt to limit traffic... there's one road. It's going to be used by people wanting to get to Pahoa and anywhere in between. I don't use a road because it's in good shape; I use a road to get where I'm going, and there is no other option into Pahoa.
Funny imagery I got on the Scofflaw bit! Thanks for sharing [
]
What is the police helicopter used for right now? Pot busting or...?
Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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"keeping the roads below par "
is NOT what anyone has proposed. Please!
This is the reality you are trying to deny:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scofflaw:
"a contemptuous law violator"
Tourists? Fewer every day already.
The lava flow at Kalapana can change tomorrow.
Nothing there regarding tourists to base long-term plans on.
[a look at the history of road building and lava inundation in Kalapana over the past 40 years will confirm this]
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
I know the lava flow at Kalapana can change at any time, but tourism is an example of an element on the roads that isn't easily controlled.
I have to disagree that tourists will be growing less. More and more are interested in staying in Kaloli Pt, Kapoho, Kehena, and other areas reached by 130, and this started before the lava flow. They stay there as a base for touring East Hawai'i, in part because it's affordable oceanfront and has the rep for being sunnier than Hilo.
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My 2 cents:
Short term: Timed Monitoring lights. Cheap and effective. Slower, yes. Safer, yes.
Next:
State to start buying right-of-ways (Eminent Domain)for future expansion (Widening) of 130, 19, 11 and routes for secondary road expansion within subdivisions while land is cheap and not developed further than it is now.
Then start with road widening and signaled intersections.
Look and plan well into the future, not just at todays problems.
Dan
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quote:
road widening and signaled intersections.
No.
Both are discredited and anachronistic and there are much better solutions.
Widening increases traffic. Repeated cases have shown this.
Do the research! Don't be an armchair engineer.
Signaled intersections are far INFERIOR to roundabouts is most situations. Roundabouts reduce congestion and reduce hazards. Do the research. Don't be an armchair engineer.
Both widening and signaled intersections cost more than the alternatives(btw: the companies that build roads and sell signal lights won't tell you this).
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
