Plan now for future infrastructure
I almost totally agree with Nicholas Moore (The Garden Island Forum, Aug. 29).
Kaua‘i desperately needs the Powerline Road. Just last week I was driving in front of Coco Palms and my car was completely engulfed by a huge wave.
I disagree about putting housing or towns up near the Powerline Road, but feeder roads down are very important. Next century there will be a need for those towns,but not now. But we need another way around the island other than Kuhio Highway.
The longer we wait the more expensive it will be. It could even be a toll road, and we would all gladly pay it.
Pretty soon, those of us living north of the Wailua River are going to be cut off from Lihu‘e more and more.
Since it takes so long to build infrastructure, the time to start planning is NOW.
Helena Cooney, Kapa‘a
Many oppose site of KPD Kapa‘a substation
The article in The Garden Island with regard to the proposed police substation is not completely accurate.
There are many more than a handful of people who object to this proposal.
The Waimea station is not adjacent to a residential area. The Hanalei station is adjacent to the fire station. And (the new substation) would be a good place near our fire station as well.
The KPAL building on Mahelona property is the perfect place for a substation. It is close enough to the highway that a driveway for access would be short, and would take them to the main road and access to the bypass road. And it is far enough from residences.
And put the Boys and Girls Club in the abandoned house, requiring little renovation for their needs.
The ingress and egress from the proposed site is problematic for the police, to get onto Kawaihau Road without them turning on their sirens.
And Brian and Colleen McCracken’s backyard is steps away from this proposed location, and I certainly do not blame them for being extremely concerned.
Our subdivision here in Hundley Heights has never had a crime problem.
Stephanie Iona is on the board of Mahelona and voted for this station, and she lives in Waimea and does not live near the Waimea station.
Kawaihau Road is probably one of the busiest roads in Kapa‘a because of the residential areas it feeds. We don’t need the police making it even busier. They need to be closer to the main road.
Marjorie Lewis, Kapa‘a
Interior road a terrible idea
Dear Garden Island;
I would like to know from Nicholas Moore how long he has lived on Kaua‘i.
His suggestion of a ‘Powerline Drive’ is ill-conceived if not dangerous.
Besides the terrain up throughout much of that trail, the ‘drive’ would go into somewhat pristine areas for floral gathering and hunting.
Those things would be lost, and a road through the interior will open up urbanization most definitely, ruining this island forever. Just my take on that idea of a mauka interior road.
Masa Shirai, Lihu‘e
Anyone who has traversed the Powerline road knows it would be impractical for a public highway.
I agree with Masa the the interior road along Powerline is a terrible idea. I lived along Kapaka road that leads in Powerline for 30 years and know from family members and friends who have biked and motorbiked across often how impassable it can be at times due to the amount of rain up there. It is also a pristine area that deserves to be protected, exiting in the Arboretum at the top of Wailua. I agree that we need more choices for our traffic woes but that is not the answer.
Marjorie Lewis, Kapa‘a, this area is ideal. The Waimea Sub-station, like the purposed Kapaa Sub-station, is next to the school, this gives the PD faster deterrent and response should the children need protection from violence, i.e. like an active shooter.
Again, the loud few, is trying to speak for the larger majority.
Where does Joe public live ?
And does the larger majority agree with this proposal ?
My suggesting that they put the substation at the kpal site is common sense.
Powerline road? Are you joking? It would take massive amounts of money to build, and many many years to construct. Have any of you even tried to walk that road let alone ride it on a bike? It is prone to mudslides, landslides, more rain than you could ever imagine. It would be more impassable than passable! It’s a nutty idea!
Attempting to build the Powerline Road would make the repairs on the road going into Hanalei look like child’s play. There are miles of similar obstacles that would need serious shoring-up to make that road safe for travel and even then, the copious rainfall that occurs in that area would make driving hazardous. A serious bypass around Kapaa with a second bridge across the river would make a lot more sense and be much less expensive.
Masa, I’ve been on Kauai about 50 years, on Oahu in the 60’s and 70’s, (if that makes a difference) and have seen it go from no traffic lights (except one by the waimea mill), to friggin chaos causing people to take unsafe chances in traffic congested by too many cars, too many people trying to turn, and pass, and sightsee, and be ignorant of all the cars backing up behind them trying to commute..What about the erosion fronting Coco Palms, and someone buying it for 20 million, hows that going to help traffic?? Maybe no development of housing is okay for now up Mauka, but we need a road up there… It doesn’t seem right that these rich people are waiting to cash in on the Mauka housing market as soon as the price is right for max profit..
BUT, we need Mauka roads for commuting from the north shore, the east side and also Kalaheo… Time to take control and not let the rich dictate our future…. It’s probably more important to commuters than to the Lihue, Kapaa, Poipu residents…
I’ve been in Hawaii most of my life and have seen the changes in traffic congestion, accidents with fatalities, and just plain bad drivers sight seeing while they hold up long lines of cars they don’t notice in their rear view mirrors.
It’s only going to get worse, wee need to do what we can and not leave it up to the powers currently “in charge”
Mahalo
As a follow up,, if you think Powerline drive is too challenging to improve, then what about the Likelike and the Pali on the windward side, with the cliffs ?? I think Powerline would be alot easier than either of those, which were built for commuters…
I am also open to a Mauka road that does not have to be powerline drive, obviously use the most advantageous route, but plan for the future….