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 known as
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 known as Da Shadow, has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Puhi
The crosswalk on Ulu and Kukui streets needs to be restriped. Please investigate.
The Public Works Roads Division will schedule restriping of the crosswalk.
Lihue
What is the update on the Maalo landfill?
The new landfill development is still in the EIS proceeding with the recent completion of the wildlife assessment which was shared with Department of Transportation-Airports, and we are now awaiting its comments.
The next step will be to finish the wildlife management plan, which will complete a significant part of the EIS. At the same time, we hope to have the Traffic Feasibility Study for the KBR access road, as requested by the Hanamaulu Community Association. Once these two milestones are complete, the preliminary EIS can be released for public comment and those comments will be incorporated into the final EIS, which we aim to finalize by the end of 2016. Then we will begin final construction design, finalize land transfer and land use rezoning and begin construction by 2023.
What is the next step for Haleko Road? What is the timeline for any improvements to this road?
The Engineering Division hosted a community meeting in December to discuss a conceptual design for the restriping of Haleko Road. We are now compiling those comments to determine what changes, if any, will need to be made to the draft before finalizing.
Once the design is complete, the proposed plan will need to be taken to the County Council for approval. We anticipate that to occur within the next three months. The goal of the proposed design is to better accommodate all users on the road, including bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
The full length of Rice Street’s “No parking” curbs need to be repainted. Also, the trees along Rice Street have a lot of debris. Does the county clean this?
Yes, Rice Street falls under the county’s jurisdiction. Per our TIGER grant briefing at the County Council in January, the county will refrain from any additional modifications in this area, while we develop the proposed changes in detail.
That proposal will then be presented to the public and then the council will approve it via a resolution. Some of the “No parking” and curb’s status will likely change.
Kapaa
Only portions of Hauaala Road has a center line? Why is that?
This was discussed in detail at a recent County Council meeting. In short, a rural road does not require a center line in all locations, so we concentrate on painting center lines on the curved areas of the roadway.
The handicapped parking stalls need repainted at Kealia Beach. People are parking in the stalls illegally. Also, the metal posts are rusted and there is a large pothole near the entrance of the parking lot.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is working with Public Works to address this matter.
What is the status of the football field at the BJB Complex? Will football games be held there?
The football field is ready and available for play. KYF and Pop Warner will be hosting games at this location this spring. To reserve the use of the football field, please call the Parks and Recreation Office at 241-4460.
Wailua
When will the road down to Lydgate Beach Park be resurfaced? The parking lines are not visible and there are a lot of potholes.
There is no current timeline of when this road will be repaved.
In the meantime, we will investigate and repair any potholes.
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Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.