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The Makuu construction causes me to think about several points (frequently made here on Punaweb and elsewhere) about the Hawaii DOT and its priorities.
First, it causes me to think that, at least where Scott's company is involved, perhaps publicly bidded and contracted projects of this sort in Hawaii do not invariably have to be over budget and over schedule. If such performance is possible in this case, why not all the time?
Second, political connectivity seems to still take precedence over the lives and safety, not to mention convenience, of the majority. We get an annoying once-a-week, six-hour bottleneck fixed when we have three of the states most dangerous intersections within five miles of said annoyance getting nothing. People will keep getting killed on 130, but it will be easier to get in and out of the market. I guess that is good, but is anyone so naive as to think that the personal and family connections of two prominent local politicians have nothing to do with the priorities in this instance?
Third, as Mr. Lackey points out, we could have had a trial roundabout put in somewhere instead. The DOT, however, does not seem to like the idea. Please see my recent posts in the Puna CDP forum for details of my hapless effort to discuss roundabouts with DOT representatives. It would be funny if people weren't being killed.
And finally, overlaying all this, is the DOT's disdain for listening to the public. They just don't like it. Damon, whom I respect for participating and trying to positively influence the process, is on a DOT citizen advisory board. He sometimes wonders if the whole thing is just a cover for decisions already made. (Please forgive and correct me, Damon, if I have misinterpreted your statements on this.)
And so it goes,
Jerry
Jerry's statements are interesting and I won't elaborate to much on them.
I don't know which two prominent local politicians that you are exactly talking about, but because you mention the "Familial Connections" I would assume you are talking about Auntie Em and Faye.
If you are talking about them in particular... I don't think they have as much as influence as some may be lead to believe.
The only thing I have to correct about my disdain for the process that is going is that it's a State Advisory Board and using the word "Citizen" would be a joke at this point as Citizens have no say unless they want to pass a note through me or to someone else on the Board.
I don't know if my influence is positive or negative at this point, but I'm trying to make an influence.
And while were on that subject... As much as I tease these damn Texans that are invading our lands... I sure do appreciate the ones like Jerry and Jon that are trying to make a difference here for all of us.[  ]
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My Blog
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Aloha Damon, I have long considered the plan for Hwy. 130 to be a done deal. The Advisory Group is mostly window dressing.
IF you are able to achieve getting the power lines buried that would be a good thing and a big deal. If the Advisory Group was able to bring some real and true consideration of roundabouts to the project I would be pleased and impressed.
The HDOT is primarily geared to serve the construction industry in the consumption of Federal dollars. They are skilled at it and know how much juice they can get from a lemon if they stick with what they know. IF they have to actually consider new theories and methods then their understanding of how much juice they can squeeze becomes shaky and indeterminate - makes them worry. They prefer to simply repeat the same mistakes over and over for that primary reason.
I spoke to the head engineer for HDOT a few months back, I recall his name as Alvin Takesheeta, and he told me that the billions they have spent on Oahu have basically been a failure. They add lanes and signals at great expense and traffic rapidly overwhelms it. Now they want to do the same thing here.
For these reasons I have described their "Context Sensitive Design" approach to be "Context Insensitive". They are steering toward a predetermined conclusion. Your Advisory Group is part of that predetermined conclusion.
I will sing your praises if you can succeed in getting the power lines buried on the highway and nothing more.
Good luck. I mean it.
Should the Puna community actually want more fom this project then a replication of Kanoelehua then I think only a lawsuit would influence them.... and the influence would only be becasue a lawsuit would slow the flow on money.... but the Advisory Group is in place primarily to protect them from such an event. See.... they are getting community input.
Rob
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Well, no one wants to answer, my guess is that they did not have to pay for the changes....
My next question is why not... Home Depot and Wal-Mart are expected to pay for their traffic issues... Seems only fair to me that Makuu Market pay for theirs.
by the way, they need a turn lane, I expect to see more accidents with out it.
Please enlighten me.
quote:
Originally posted by Jon
Did the Makuu Market pay for the changes? If not, why not?
Transplanted Texan
"I am here to chew bubble gum and kick some *** ... and I'm all out of bubble gum"
Transplanted Texan
"I am here to chew bubble gum and kick some *** ... and I'm all out of bubble gum"
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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
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The improvements were paid for by the state... it was in last year's CIP budget. How it got on budget was successful politics. I don't know who accomplished it.
There is a long and cherished history here of developers not paying for infrastructure. I have no argument myself with the improvement itself except that it seemed much higher on the priority list than it deserved. The talent lies in getting your pet project recognized and prioritized.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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I think the improvements at the Maku'u Market are great! Everything the association has done has been to make it safer for the multitudes to access it. How many trips to Hilo for vegetables are eliminated by their availability here in Puna? I know my diet has improved and my gas bill lowered because of the Market.
I too am upset at the delay to make other areas of Highway 130 safer, but feel no need to knock the improvements we do get.
I know this may be distasteful to some of you, but have any of you considered non violent civil disobedience as a method of attention getting. It worked for our Forfathers (well, that turned violent), Dr. King, critical mass, and throngs of war resisters in the 60's.
It wouldn't take many people and/or machines to blockade the highway, demonstrating the need for alternative routes and safety features.
Any radicals out there?[ ]
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First, thanks for the atta boys for a job well done. We came in early and under budget.
I’m told that the old driveway is owned by the FAA and not Makuu Farmers Market. Some of you might remember the old Pahoa airstrip behind the Market. Therefore the property needs it’s own entrance.
The State paid for it because all the construction was done on State land none on private property. There are a lot more facilities and improvements forthcoming for the Market, wait and see.
The expectation of a driver on a State Highway (55mph) is not to encounter stopped traffic in a travel lane. As you are aware the old driveway is on a curve coming from Hilo. During the highway improvements there were two accidents at the old driveway with injuries. One vendor was turning in the driveway and a car hit him from behind never applying the brakes. This highway improvement now eliminates that potential for such accidents. The turn lane allows cars to stop and turn out of the travel lane and cars can pull out without having to engage vehicles traveling at or above the speed limit.
For those of you who think it’s a waste of money I don’t agree. I spent quite a bit of time on site during construction and the old entrance is antiquated.
The Pahoa Fire Station improvement is also my project and it is slated to also be complete ahead of schedule and under budget.
IT CAN BE DONE!
Thanks again and enjoy the entrance.
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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quote:
Originally posted by Big_Island
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
Having watched Hwy. 130 undergo a two year construction process to merely add shoulders I am impressed with how quickly the Makuu improvements went.
Punaweb moderator
I remember the majority of the time was spent digging a drench down the middle of 130 to connect the water lines from Paradise Drive to Pahoa.
We asked ourselves over and over again, why are they not adding driving lanes?? [:0]
Finally one day while stopped in the traffic jam, I asked one of the guys straightening traffic cones.
He laughed and said "because we will need more work in a few years".
Just like now.. Are they even considering the logical choices?
or just what benefits them?
Weve been trying to get a traffic lights at many of the entrances to our subdivisions for many years (where many of our friends and neighbors have been very seriously hurt or even killed).
How many people got Killed or Seriously Hurt in front of the Makuu Market?
I know its on a dangerous curve but cmon its private property.. right?
Maybe Hawaiian Homelands?
Just goes to show what can happen if you have friends in high places?
Sure seems so to me.
When they decided the Makuu Market was more important for its ONE DAY A WEEK traffic than the dangerous intersections we travel on a daily bases.
Thats the moment I gave up even trying to understand the reasoning and excepted the facts,
"its not what you know"
its
"Who you Know!"
it was just another screw-us-over... bunch of Bull Crap if ya ask me.
On the other hand Kahuna Scotts crew did do a very nice job!!
Don't be confused between the Dept. of Water Services and the DOT as far as the water main upgrade and widening the highway. A trench for a water main and widening the highway are two differnt animals.
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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Scott, Thanks for the great job. BTW, you forgot to mention that when the vendor was rear ended, a naked man got out of the offending vehicle and commenced to running around the highway. What this has to do with the thread is beyond me, but it IS kinda Puna.
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Greg,
The police officer told me that there was a naked women in the camaro also. 6:38 am and high on ice. I asked the cop if the impact of the accident ripped their close off. The accident also damaged one of the new guard rails I installed the week before.
"Many dreams come true and some have silver linings, I look for my dreams and a pocket full of gold" Led Zeppelin
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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