hunterbishop.com

If the guys in the planning and construction sections of the DOT pay any attention at all to the safety issues on 130, it will probably result in reinforcing their view that four-laning the whole thing from Keaau to Pahoa is the way to go. That is all they apparently know how to do anyway, and most of us are at the point where we might accept that just to be able to get from place to place on time with a somewhat reduced risk of getting killed.

State bureaucracies everywhere are inertia driven machines. Once in motion in a certain direction, it takes a phenomenal force to change that direction. Hawaii's bureaucracies are worse than average in this regard. Nimble thinking is unheard of.

Then there is a Catch 22 factor. If we somehow succeed in getting them to look at alternatives to the four-laning, that will require years of study which will result in continuing, worsening delays and many more fatalities. And they will probably still decide to four-lane it after all. Are we willing to pay the price of waiting for a better solution when we might not even get it? Probably not. We are beginning to see intelligent people asking for speeding up the four-laning as witnessed by a fairly well-written letter to the editor of HTH yesterday.

And, anyone, anywhere in Hawaii who is surprised resides in a large cave on Molokai (I don't think they have caves on Niihau).

The fact the state has helped keep that from being more obvious relefects on the awful,ongoing secretness of the governor and her minions plus most of their predecessors.

Everytime she utters "transparency" in her intervies on Wednesday on KUPA I struggle to suppress my giggles.

Great article. Please send to Emily Naeole's office immediately for her "ammunition" file. Reasons to get dollars into Puna infrastructure in ADDITION to West Hawaii infrastructure.

See, some of us can share, Mr. Stene. We just want OUR fair share.

This goes on the "we need it now" list. Thanks.

I'm sorry I stand by completely what I wrote. West Hawaii has
been shafted far too long by Hilo. Take note of the lack of infrastructure here in West Hawaii- namely roadway infrastructure. So don't try the selfish trip on me, it isn't
going to change my mind.

Ok, ok, ok, we got the "no infrastructure in Kona" message. This particular issue is regarding SAFETY (in my opinion) not inconvenience. Highway 130 is now the most deadly and dangerous highway in our State. The traffic is another issue, so is Kona infrastructure.

The point of this article, as I read it, is SAFETY. To me, that comes first and foremost, far above inconveniece. We sit in traffic in Puna just like Kona residents do, perhaps not as bad. However, the fatalities and accidents apparently are worse on highway 130, thus, should get attention accordingly.

Where is the State support? Apologies for justifying what should be the obvious. I'm done.

I am glad that the Advertiser exposed the list of top projects with Puna being top 3. If the Puna Traffic Safety Committee can get Brennon Matsuoka and/or Barry Fukunaga to attend a meeting and make them commit to putting HWY 130 on the current STIP which is NOW being updated, this would help. Also, it is my understanding that the State DOT is updating the State Long Range Land Transportation Plan. Again, placing HWY 130 improvements onto this plan makes it a MUST DO project. Keep a watch for upcoming State DOT meetings in the newspaper.
oh, IMO, I don't think Kona needs anymore roads not when drivers are speeding around with lifted vehicles and killing roadside residents. Until these problems are resolved, NO MORE ROADS!
Congestion is actually kinda good because it means that no one is speeding.

Thank you, Concerned, for pointing out the obvious. It is indeed all about safety. That highway is SCARY, especially when one must make a left turn. I have personally witnessed one fatal accident and have seen the aftermaths of several others over the years. And I don't even drive the thing on a daily basis.

Aaron's not wrong, but perhaps a little stubborn. Of course documented health and safty issues should take precedence. But AFTER that, Kona needs to do some infrastructal catching up.

Actually, for Chuck's information, we are doing exactly that, infrastructural "catch up" here in Kona tomorrow, Saturday when we (our transportation working group) will meet with an expert in the field of bicycle and pedestrian safety to discuss how we can safely get around Kona in a non-vehicle manner. This tunnel vision of always wanting more roads and lanes just to accomodate the vehicle addict has got to change.Buses are our answer not more roads. Geez.

A trip from Honokaa to Hilo yesterday was met with a total of 6 construction/maintenance stops. There is work being done on three bridges, repaving on two sections and rock abatement on one of the horseshoes. It added about 20 minutes to the trip. Hamakua always does well road-wise. The rock abatement and one of the bridges is related to damage from the earthquake, but I am guessing we have Dwight Takamine to thank for the good roads. It literally pays to have good representation.

Kim Here.
Well Hugh, I'm glad to know this is all the GOP Governors fault.
It's so easy to blame one person who is not "one of your own". So, what about before she was elected? Were we being taking care of then? No. This has been going on for a lot longer than we've had a GOP governor. So enough of the Political Bigotry. Get over it and put your attention towards helping, not blaming. We've sat back for so long, done nothing, said nothing, and accepted what wasn't happening. Even now, the large majority of the population may complain while driving the roads....but that's as far as they'll go ... Bitch, blame, and complain. We cannot fall into that pattern if we want to get anything done.
Wankine is probably telling the brutal truth about our situation. Once the ball gets rolling, it's not easy to change direction. So, do we try to stop the ball, and spend years deciding on whether a new direction will even happen. Or, do we get something happening sooner by letting the ball keep up the momentum. Without more involvement, and more agreement by "We the People", "We" don't really have much of a voice.
Brennon has been over to check and recheck remedies for the 2 intersections together at Pahoa/Kahakai. Due to the meeting held at Makuu Market, and follow-up from a number of us, we were put on an emergency fast track list of some sort. This need was multiplied because of our future new Fire/Police Stations. So, as slow as it may seem, Things are moving pretty fast for Goverment Projects.

So, James....your take. Political bickering, or working together. I'm pretty sure I know your answer! But, an interseting question....Do you think if the next Governor is a Democrat, all of our problems here in Puna will be solved? Is this really a matter of Party?



Coming down Kahakai, we've made alot of difference working together. We are from all walks of life, but we do what we see that needs to be done. We are a growing group of activist. People see our group working, and pull over to help!

Instead of blaming someone for not doing something, become the person who actually does something.

Aaron,

Puna is not Hilo. We have been shortchanged in basic services for a very long time also. Everyone is entitled to police and fire protection, unless you live in Puna. It's not just in roads that Puna has been receiving the s*** end of the stick. People in Puna also pay income and GE taxes just like folks in Kona. It's time to end the east versus west nonsense, it only benefits demogogues and politicians.

Hunter, your blogs are curious at times. Certainly Mr. Steen by himself is curious. While I won't deny him his opinion. I take issue with his view of history that is in incomplete, flawed and bordering on the bizarre.

Kona did not explode overnight as Puna obviously has. Much of Kona's infrastrure shortfall is the result of Kona indecision and infighting for at least four decades. The Alii Bypass, Replacement, Highway or Parkway (you choose its name) would could have been done in the 1960s. County leaders, even before we had a mayor, took swings at doing that from the supervisor days to now.

Kona's nice pool was delayed for years because of disputes in Kona, not Hilo. In fact, its design and plans were used to develop the Puna pool in Pahoa ahead of schedule while quarrelling went on. It was Kona people who demanded stub out roads rather than connectors. Hilo guys' only fault was not objecting more strenuously.

The most foreceful finance chair in recent memory was Ikuo Hisaoka who came from Kohala, not Hilo, and did fine by his constituents. Witness the park and the ggymnasium complex that carries his name.

The real enemy has been Konans -- mauka versus maikai, newcomcomers versus kama'aina, unseating senior legislators such as the late Takeshi Kudo, who would have been house finance chair the year he was dumped. Kona has elected some curious legislators along the way and even more stunning council members who often swam upstream and were largely ineffective. Admittedly, Isbell got Konawaena a modern track when she was in the house and had started getting things into the county pipline when she was zapped.

The enemy, Mr.Steen, is and has been Kona. Not Hilo.

Mr. Clark,
My last name is Stene, not Steen. That being said,I admit
there is a fringe element here in Kona that blocks alot of roads here.That being said, it wasn't anyone in Kona that
approved all these resort residential projects- think about it.

Concerned, if I recall correctly there is west side roads that were listed as safety issues. Yes they are not in top three, but there is unsafe roadways here in West Hawaii also.

Mr. Clark; Well done. Factual history will not please all, however the knowledge shared is hopefully enlightening. Thank you.

If there's anyone on this board who really knows the scoop, its Hugh Clark who has been a reporter from when I was a teenager. Mahalo for your memories of Linda Dela Cruz in today's newspaper and of our Kona projects. At the time Alii Highway was planned back in the 60s, lots of issues were raised because the location of the road was going to run thru historically sensitive land. I am glad it got delayed and delayed and delayed. The former design was going to ruin Kona.

If there is one indisputable fact in this equation, no one in Kona or Kohala approved all this resort residential development. It happened in Hilo and Honolulu ultimately.
To add more salt to wounds, the development was pushed through even though no supporting infrastructure was built.

I've lived in Kona for 31 years, my entire life. To me the
politicians and the fringe element have ruined Kona. Heck
I could do a better job than all the jokers in office currently.

Kim here

Hugh Clark...I have just reread your 1st blog on this subject. I realize you did mention the politcal predessors. I apoligize for not realizing that yesterday.

Mt. Stene: Maybe you should consider running for the council seat in your district. You certainly have the enthusiasm,and you're young. You may well be able to do a better job than those currently elected for many years to come.

The only elements that would enhance your potential election would be facutal knowledge, compassion for all of Hawaii County citizens, and wisdom in making educated, sound decisions.

Fortunately for you, with age these things will come. Start now and you may be well on your way to making things better for all of us.