Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known
Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Wawae Road
Da Shadow: When there are heavy rains, the ditch overflows into a resident’s yard along this road. This has been reported to Public Works before and they were supposed to be working on a solution. Is there any update for this owner?
County: Public Works has addressed this issue to the best of its ability, however the property owner has been advised for several years that his driveway approach needs to be altered to meet current standards. Until that is done, the problem will continue to occur.
Public Works
Da Shadow: The County has a new position, “transportation planner.” What is the job description and salary for this position?
County: This position comes under the Planning Department, and serves as a liaison to coordinate efforts between Planning, Public Works and the Transportation Agency on issues related to multi-modal transportation, including bicycle and pedestrian transportation and transit. This includes implementation of the recently accepted Multimodal Land Transportation Plan, follow-up planning and implementation of the county’s Complete Streets Resolution, planning and coordination of Safe Routes to School and other initiatives to enhance viable transportation alternatives. The position pays $67,488.
Public Works
Da Shadow: How much is the county paying its consultant, AECOM, for its work on the new landfill and resource recovery park environmental impact statement?
County: The AECOM contract totals $1.8 million.
Islandwide
Da Shadow: Are all wooden bleachers being replaced with aluminum bleachers?
County: Parks will be replacing all wooden bleachers with aluminum bleachers. Replacement of bleachers also involves the construction of concrete slabs, wheelchair stalls, and “accessible routes” Parks is prioritizing island-wide replacement based on budget constraints.
Kapaa New
Town Park
Da Shadow: When will the overflowing coconut trees be trimmed at this location?
County: Parks has contracted a coconut tree trimming contractor who has recently completed trimming specific high use Parks such as Salt Pond Park, Po‘ipu Beach Park, Nawiliwili Park, major sections of the bike path, and will shortly begin Hanalei District. Parks anticipates the coconut trees at Kapa‘a New Town Park to be trimmed in the next three weeks. The contractor will complete the island-wide trimming of nearly 1,500 coconut trees within the next few months.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae — Kapaa, near Otsuka’s
Da Shadow: When will the overflowing coconut trees be trimmed at this location?
County: See previous response.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae — Kealia
Da Shadow: What is the purpose of the concrete structure?
County: This structure is the base for interpretive signage associated with the multi-use path. The sign is anticipated to be completed and installed within two-to-three months.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae — Kealia
Da Shadow: The sign post on this ADA sign is all rusted. When will it be replaced?
County: New materials to replace all the signage along the entire path (20 signs; 20 new treated, painted, wooden posts; 40 bags of Quikcrete; and all the stainless steel mounting hardware) have been purchased. Replacement/construction has begun and is anticipated to be completed within two months.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae
Da Shadow: When will the faded and vandalized signs be replaced?
County: See previous response.
Kealia Beach Park
Da Shadow: When will the pothole leading from the highway to the parking lot be repaired?
County: Parks has submitted a request to Public Works for assistance. Parks does not have the equipment and resources for large scale grading, rolling and compaction, and has also requested similar assistance from Public Works for re-grading and compacting the small parking lot adjacent to Moikeha Canal/Kapaa Public Library. Parks will follow-up on its request to PW.
Vidinha Stadium
Da Shadow: When will parks remove the old scoreboard at the football stadium? The scoreboard is rusted, the wood has dry rot, and it’s an eyesore.
County: The wooden platform was abandoned and no longer used since the existing electronic scoreboard was installed. Due to budgetary constraints, this project is not proposed as a priority for funding within FY 2014. However, Parks will dismantle and remove this structure as soon as practicable.
Vidinha Stadium
Da Shadow: With so many families parking on the north side of the parking lot and walking across the road to the soccer field, it seems there’s a need for a crosswalk. Can one be striped there?
County: The subject road is an “access road or driveway” within a county facility, and not a county right of way. Further, the installation of a crosswalk in this location will require additional ADA required improvements involving “accessible” routes, curb cuts, ramps, sidewalks from the nearest “accessible” parking stall(s) to the gate entrance to the soccer field. Parks will need to plan for these improvements within an overall Vidinha Complex Master Plan.
Vidinha Stadium
Da Shadow: In the parking lot on the north side there is a drainage cover that looks like it should be made flush with the pavement. Can this be fixed?
County: Parks will promptly submit a work order request to Public Works to provide a cover and mitigate this hazard.
County Building
Da Shadow: On the driveway that runs in front of the Historic County Building, there is a bump in the road in front of the County Annex building, which could cause vehicular damage. Can you address this?
County: Response provided on Dec. 5, 2012, that this area was inspected by Public Works personnel but no safety hazard was observed.
• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528.