Pahoa Roundabout Informational Meeting

[Rob Tucker]

NEWS RELEASE – For immediate release

July 22, 2015

Senate Contact: Senator Lorraine Inouye 808-586-7335
seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov

Media Contact: Jill Kuramoto 808-586-6261


PAHOA ROUNDABOUT INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Traffic calming project scheduled to begin construction in August

The public is invited to join Sen. Lorraine Inouye, Chair of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, other State and County elected officials, representatives from the State Department of Transportation (DOT), and the project contractor for an informational meeting to update residents on the Pahoa Roundabout project scheduled to begin construction in early August. DOT officials will brief the community on the start date, the duration of the project, and traffic detours that will be in effect during construction.

The $5 million project was postponed last year while the June 27 lava flow threatened lower Puna. The roundabout will be located at the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road.

WHO: State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (Dist. 4 - Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and Kona), other State and County elected officials and State DOT

WHEN: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pahoa Community Center (Pahoa Neighborhood Facility)

# # #

[kalakoa]

Hoping they explain how/where the second Pahoa roundabout fits into this. (Yes, will attend...if can)

[Rob Tucker]

From the talks I have had with HDOT's chief engineer about a Pahoa Roundabout.... HDOT's opposition to a roundabout is so severe that, being essentially forced into one in Pahoa, HDOT is determined to create a failure they can point to in the future and say "Hey, they don't work! Look at the mess in Pahoa!"

HDOT had presented a sensible plan for Kahakai some years ago. Without explanation they shredded it and are now trying to foist this abortion on us.

[kalakoa]

HDOT had presented a sensible plan for Kahakai some years ago.

The 130 widening project shows a roundabout at Kahakai (in addition to the ones at Pahoa Village Road and Ainaloa).

It's almost as if this roundabout is a completely separate project, despite being described as part of the 130 widening.

[leilaniguy]

Since HDOT is opposed to it, remind us again who's hare brained idea it was so they can be crucified.

[ScottRAB]

I heard the person in HDOT that disliked modern roundabouts retired.
Modern roundabouts are the safest form of intersection in the world (much more so than comparable signals). Visit http://tinyurl.com/iihsRAB for modern roundabout FAQs and safety facts. Modern roundabouts, and the pedestrian refuge islands approaching them, are two of nine proven safety measures identified by the FHWA, http://tinyurl.com/7qvsaem
The FHWA has a video about modern roundabouts on Youtube, or check out the IIHS video (iihs dot org).

[Tink]

They put one in on Kauai down Poi'pu way and it is always good entertainment to set up a camp chair and watch how people react to how they work. A lot of near misses and animated conversation that will keep you laughing, sometimes almost off the chair laughing.
General rule seen is no stopping as all connectors into the roundabout are "yield", weave into the mix using appropriate turn signal to squeeze in at slightly slower than regular speed limit, and bail out at your turn. Newcomers are seen to go around at least once as missed their turn off, or recover from the tight merge into the roundabout when busy.
Will be interesting as to how this one works out.

Community begins with Aloha

[Seeb]

Do they have a plan to get the buses and kids from north of the mess to Keonopoko

[pahoated]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob Tucker
HDOT had presented a sensible plan for Kahakai some years ago. Without explanation they shredded it and are now trying to foist this abortion on us.

---

This is the huge mystery. A roundabout at the Kahakai 4-way intersection makes total sense and would allow that stupid T-bone to just be closed. The 4-way at Kahakai is already all prepped for a proper 4-way intersection, putting the roundabout there would seem like a no-brainer. Putting the 3-way single lane roundabout at the troubled T-bone intersection just makes things more confusing. Maybe Oahu has heard from the local reps and they said south Puna has a love affair with confusion and wouldn't have it any other way.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[kalakoa]

3-way single lane roundabout at the troubled T-bone intersection

Documentation for the 130 widening project shows two roundabouts, one at the T-bone, one at Kahakai.

I assume these will be separate projects in order to maximise the number of "temporary" roads.