Pie in the sky
As a part-time resident of this paradise, every return reminds me of worsening traffic conditions. This time, here along with two guests, we headed to the North Shore and as usual we encountered the Kapa‘a pause.
An article on the internet claimed on any day there are 12,000 rental cars plying the Kaua‘i highways.
Complaining about this to my guests, Bretta came up with a brilliant idea. She explained that the state’s hesitation to act on this is probably due to costs and environmental concerns, but could be overcome by building a gondola-style system along the crowded corridors commencing from the airport.
The costs and ecological damage would be negligible compared to road grading, etc. And fees from visitors would more than likely pay it off with surpluses going to good causes. Instead of adding new lanes and disrupting the landscape, simple holes could physically provide support for the system. And think of the thrill riders would get seeing the beautiful island with a birds-eye view.
Am I dreaming? Of course because it makes too much sense. Mahalo.
Steven Saint-Martin, Princeville
Can you please explain what is meant by a gondola system? Seems like a vague idea.
Maybe we can have flying cars!
I believe the gondola reference is comparable to what is at many first class ski resorts. Individual cars on a cable system on supports 500-100 feet apart. Nothing like the abomination rail project on Oahu. Actually, a very cost-effective way to move people.
Yes Steve, let’s turn this island into Disneyland or Oahu. This is a rural island, and the issue is too many people coming here. During the pandemic when there were no visitors the wildlife flourished, the land recovered, but now it is disappearing again. This “beautiful” island is way past the amount of visitors it can support, and is being destroyed as it was in 2018.
Definitely, dreaming although in theory it’s kinda cool. But to direct you to a bit of our reality here, you should research Honolulu’s rail project and it’s $7 billion over cost from budget. After that, research how many years and millions it took to complete the highway expansion Poipu side of Lihue. Then you might realize that some dreams come with intolerable costs. Plus, how many iwi kupua would be disturbed by those “simple holes”. My dear, ho have no idea. But thanks for trying.
PS – “There is no question that the Honolulu rail project is the most expensive per capita of any publicly funded rail project in the modern age,” said Randal O’Toole, a transportation expert and senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a policy think tank based in Washington, D.C.
Interesting comment, and I am all ears when it comes to traffic-mitigating solutions here, but I have no idea what your “gondola” concept entails. Could you please write another letter and elaborate please?
Gondolas that is what you ride in at the Matterhorn at Disneyland….