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.
Mailihuna Road, Kapaa
There is a ditch along the roadway that is full of debris which then flows down and clogs the culvert at the end of the road.
This work has been scheduled.
Islandwide
How many miles of county roads on the island, total?
There are 302 miles of county road.
How much of taxpayer’s money was spent on repaving of county road from FY 12 through FY 14?
$6,412,753 of taxpayers’ money was spent on repaving during this timeframe.
Historic County Building
What is the status of the railing at the front steps at the Historic County Building and the Annex? Is this ADA compliant?
A project to post a railing at this location is currently being reviewed by the Historic Preservation agencies.
What happens to the green waste that gets dropped off at the transfer stations? Is that work done in-house or does county use a contractor? If contracted, how much does it cost annually for this service?
The county hauls green waste from the Hanalei, Kapaa and Lihue Refuse Transfer Stations to a contractor that processes the material. For the Hanapepe RTS and the Kekaha Landfill, hauling and processing are contracted.
Kapaa Transfer Station
There is a continuous problem of mud at the green waste collection area. Is there a long-term solution to address this problem?
An engineering study and design is currently in process to address this issue. Once the design is complete, construction will be funded to complete the work.
Anini Beach Road
When will the county repair the bridge on Anini Beach Road? Also, can signs be placed to notify motorists of the weight limit of the bridge? Currently, there is none.
A project is in process which has been funded in Fiscal Year 2016. Signs indicating new weight limits were installed last year.
Maluhia Road, Koloa
There is a damaged speed limit sign at the S-curve as you head down Maluhia Road. Can the speed limit be reduced from 50 mph to 40 mph?
There is a speed reduction, as posted, through the S curves on Maluhia Road. We will follow up on the report of a damaged sign and respond accordingly.
Coco Palms
After Coco Palms is complete, where does the wastewater go? Will they create their own?
The wastewater from this area goes to the Wailua Wastewater treatment facility.
When will demolition be complete on Coco Palms?
A timeline of the demolition work is not yet known.
Wailua
For the proposed development between Courtyard Marriott and Long’s, where does the sewage go? Are these businesses using the county’s wastewater treatment facility? Do they need to have their own?
The wastewater from this area goes to the Wailua Wastewater treatment facility.
Lihue WWTP
The treatment plant between the airport post office and Kauai Lagoons has had a problem with odors, which affects the housing complex nearby. Can the county do something to reduce the odor?
The issue at Wailua WW Treatment Plant is not the same as the Lihue plant, and therefore requires a different solution which we are looking to address.
•••
Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow 96751@gmail.com or (808) 635-3528.