LIHU‘E — Responding to safety concerns of county officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution establishing a “no-parking” zone on the southerly shoulder of the County Access Road, by Vidinha Stadium
LIHU‘E — Responding to safety concerns of county officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution establishing a “no-parking” zone on the southerly shoulder of the County Access Road, by Vidinha Stadium soccer fields in Lihu‘e.
In other words, parking on the access road alongside the fence a next to the soccer fields is now prohibited.
“We are only focused on the current situation and trying to make it as safe as possible,” Kaua‘i Police Department Assistant Chief Ale Quibilan said.
Cars parked alongside the fence obstruct visibility, making it especially dangerous because the Kaua‘i Bus maintenance facility is immediately adjacent to the fields, Quibilan said. If a child “darts out” from between parked cars, those busses would not be able to “stop on a dime,” he said.
Deputy County Engineer Lyle Tabata said KPD contacted the county Public Works Department and asked for help in identifying solutions for the area. After an investigation from county engineers, the department requested the council to introduce the resolution, Tabata said.
Sergeant Robert Gausepohl said it’s not a situation where there is no parking available. There is a parking lot nearby that stays mostly empty during soccer games, and parking will still be available across the street.
“We didn’t want to start citing people for obstructing traffic,” said Gausepohl, adding that placing “no-parking” signs in the area would be the “fairest way” to solve the problem.
The current parking provisions, Tabata said, do not need retrofitting to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, but the department would comply with such requirements if any improvements to the area were made.
Some councilmembers were concerned that the request did not involve community input.
Many families that come to the games bring tents and coolers. Councilmembers suggested that an area near the Kaua‘i Bus maintenance facility be used as a drop-off area for equipment, so that families do not have to walk long distances carrying the equipment to the fields.
Councilman Mel Rapozo said he received an email from an American Youth Soccer Organization member suggesting a designated area for dropping off equipment. The member also said KPD should start giving citations to those parked alongside the fence and asked for more openings on the fence, so people stop jumping over it to access the field, according to Rapozo.
Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura said the council had two options. One would be to pass the resolution and trust the promise from Tabata to address ADA and user needs, and the other would be to defer it and wait for a more complete solution from the administration.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro said he would support the resolution, with the understanding that there is money available for ADA improvements.
The resolution takes effect upon approval and the posting of appropriate signs indicating the “no-parking” zone.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
