KILAUEA — Repairing parks, improving roads and safer neighborhoods were the primary concerns that Kilauea residents presented to the mayor Tuesday night. Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and 19 department heads and staff were present at the Kilauea Neighborhood Association meeting
KILAUEA — Repairing parks, improving roads and safer neighborhoods were the primary concerns that Kilauea residents presented to the mayor Tuesday night.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and 19 department heads and staff were present at the Kilauea Neighborhood Association meeting to discuss topics ranging from playground equipment to organizing a neighborhood watch group.
The mayor said the Kilauea playground inspection showed items need to be replaced but that nothing was in need of being taken down immediately. A repair would cost about a third less than replacing the entire park, he said.
Community members asked for a second look at items that are rusty, dirty or dangerous.
County Council Chair Jay Furfaro was present and reminded the council that playground repair requests go directly to Parks and Recreation and new requests and are due by March 13.
Deputy County Engineer Lyle Tabata spoke about safe routes to school. There are plans to repaint the cross walks and new signage.
The main roads are to get permanent improvements through the highway programs. Additionally, Tabata said public safety information is needed about slowing down.
One community member said there are too many near misses at key intersections. People on their way to the lighthouse and other attractions present hazards through narrow roads in residential areas.
Another city staff member said there is state legislation being considered that would increase the fines of speeding tickets by $10 and $25 in school zones. The additional fine would go toward funding local infrastructure projects.
Lenny Rapozo, director, Department of Parks and Recreation, answered questions about Kilauea playground, benches, picnic tables and Anini boat ramp signage.
A community member said the trouble with controlling parking is that visitors and anglers compete for parking at different times. He wanted to see more spaces and signage to keep people from parking off of the road around the boat ramp park.
George Costa, director of the Office of Economic Development, provided an update on plans for the Kilauea Ag Park, which are being finalized. Other work includes a $7 million proposal to consider three 400-foot wells and a water storage tank. The concern is that any irrigation uses surface water and not potable water.
A habitat conservation plan must also be conducted between the lighthouse and the national park. The design and construction of the ag park can run after the assessments are addressed. Costa said it is possible that if costs run high, it may result in a best-use assessment for the property and to move the project to another area.
Larry Dill, County Engineer, spoke about Kilauea Mill contamination and paving Kalihiwai Road. The Department of Health is the lead agency conducting the sampling and he said the recommendations will be released by the end of February.
Acting Deputy Chief of Police Mark Begley spoke of increased patrols based on concerns about noise and known drug houses. He encouraged people to report activity to help investigators build a history on which to base an arrest or prosecution.
Begley said neighborhood crime watch efforts are extremely effective when organized well, and that police can assist with training.
Planning Director Mike Dahilig said he would schedule an inspection of allegedly poisoned trees at Kahili beach. He also spoke about Hunt Development and the permit process.
He said a traffic impact analysis report will be completed by an outside firm hired by the company. Mitigation is planned but it is limited to evaluation and recommendations.
The demand for a bypass road before the project can be completed was a concern for some community members. Dahilig said the Kapa‘a project sought a similar demand to widen a section of highway, and that the courts ruled it could not be allowed as a condition of the permits.
There will be more information from reports to make these decisions in March, Dahilig said.
