LIHU‘E — This has to be one of those out-of-the-ordinary Christmas present wishes that Santa Claus receives every now and then. But Kris Kringle delivered — and early. “Christmas came a little early this year,” Planning Director Michael Dahilig said
LIHU‘E — This has to be one of those out-of-the-ordinary Christmas present wishes that Santa Claus receives every now and then. But Kris Kringle delivered — and early.
“Christmas came a little early this year,” Planning Director Michael Dahilig said at the Kaua‘i Planning Commission Tuesday. “After about a year and three months of personnel maneuvering, we’ve been able to secure a transportation planner.”
Dahilig introduced Lee Steinmetz to the commissioners. The new county staff comes from the private sector, and brings a lot of experience with park and path planning, according to Dahilig. “We’re very lucky to have him,” he said of Steinmetz, who was on his second day on the job Tuesday.
Steinmetz said he used to be a landscape architect in his native California, working mostly on public projects involving parks and streetscapes. He said he has been on Kaua‘i for a year and a half.
“I’m really happy to be here, excited about this opportunity and really looking forward to working with you, members of the community and advancing the vision that the county of Kaua‘i has set forward for complete streets and livable communities,” Steinmetz said.
Dahilig said Steinmetz will be working out of the Public Works Department administration office.
“I’m hoping he can become a conduit between both our departments to help facilitate a lot of the complete streets, safe routes to school … walkability, bikeability-types of programs that we hope to implement as part of our push create a better built environment for our community,” Dahilig said.
Steinmetz praised the natural beauty of Kaua‘i, which he said is “absolutely phenomenal” and creates the setting for everything else that happens on the island. But like in most places, there are many challenges regarding transportation, he said.
Steinmetz also had kind words for the people of Kaua‘i.
“I’ve been here a while now, but just like everyone who comes here, I’m really impressed with the aloha spirit, the welcome and people wanting to really work together,” he said.
