POSITION STATEMENT

Traffic Issues affecting Kauai's East Side Businesses and Residents.

This position statement is directed to the Hawai'i State Department of Transportation, and Kapaa's Federal, State and County elected officials.

PURPOSE:

Traffic in the Wialua/Kapaa/Lihue corridor has reached a crisis level. We have created this position statement to advocate for projects that, if expedited, will bring immediate and measurable results.

This is our third position paper on traffic. As business owners and managers in the most affected area, the members of KBA are keenly aware of the traffic problems within the area. We are highly motivated to work collaboratively with government, other business or industry groups and the public to realize positive change for our communities and visitors.


RECOMMENDATIONS:

Make funds available & expedite:

Widening of the Wailua Bridge to four lanes. NOW happening!

Expand Kuhio Highway to four lanes from the existing bypass to Wailua Bridge. .

Creation of southbound right turn lane from Haleilio intersection for the entire span of the coco Palms frontage up to Kuamoo Road. (This phase of the road widening projects could be implemented quickly.)

Extend Pouli Road & make it a state access road from the state highway to the existing state bypass. This will allow the ever-increasing number of residents in the Homesteads, Kapahi, North Kapaa & the Northshore (via the upcoming bypass extension) to easily access shopping without suffering through and exacerbating the traffic congestion on Kuhio highway. The planning department estimates 3200 + households (11,200 residents) in the Northern Kapaa area that could access shopping without adding congestion to Kuhio Highway.


Improve Traffic Flow:

Prohibit left terns onto Kuhio Highway from Papaloa Road at the site of the Shell Station. In addition to improving traffic flow, this change will also improve traffic safety.

Lengthen stack lanes wherever possible.

Make the right hand lane heading northbound on Kuhio Highway at the Hanamaulu intersection a thoroughfare. Either remove the light on the right lane or add a light to the right lane so it is always green. Make all right northbound lanes (in four lane sections) thoroughfares.

Extend counter flow lane operation to 2:00 PM. Study traffic flows in the area and determine the optimal time to flip the counter flow.


IN APPRECIATION:

We would like to acknowledge the efforts and attention being given to the traffic crisis on the island of Kauai by the Governor, State Department of Transportation, Mayor of Kauai and other County officials. We appreciate the dialogue that has taken place over the last couple of years and the actions being taken to mitigate some of our problems in the near term.


THE RURAL SERENITY LOCALS & TOURISTS EXPECT & DESERVE:

The people who live and visit Kauai expect to experience a place that is less congested, slower, and gentler, than the Mainland, Oahu or Maui. The success of our tourist centered economy is dependent on our ability to provide the ambiance visitors come to expect from Kauai. Visitors are exposed to unparalleled beauty, pristine beaches, lovely rural settings, cultural exchange and enrichment, smaller communities, and charming businesses.

Kauai is not Waikiki. There, visitors expect to stay in high-rise hotels, play in a busy city and experience the consequential traffic as result of high density. Here, visitors expect to "get away" from the hustle and bustle and to unwind. They certainly do not expect to spend their unwinding time in bumper to bumper traffic. Relative to a big city, Kaua'i may seem to have minor traffic problems. But, relative to the expectations of our visitors (and residents) we have a REAL problem. Please take our suggestions to heart & help us keep our island's ambiance of a less stressful place to live & visit in tact.

REQUEST:

KBA appreciates the regular communication we have received from the DOT staff and would like to continue to receive quarterly reports from the Director of the Department of Transportation on the status of all short term traffic initiatives. We would also appreciate receiving a copy of the recommendations made to the DOT from the Wilson Okimoto Study of short-term traffic solutions. We appreciate being included in the planning process and look forward to invitations to do so.

LONG TERM SOLUTIONS:

KBA fully supports the planning and implementation of the Kapa'a Relief Route in the most expeditious manner possible. We would like to be an active participant in long-term planning and ask that the Department of Transportation so include the organization.

HISTORY OF KBA:

KBA is a non-profit member organization that provides advocacy for and promotion of east side businesses as well as improving the quality of life through cultural and community events and projects. The top priorities of KBA are: traffic improvements, the coastal trail, and park development.

Members are individuals who join as representatives of their businesses or as private citizens.


SUMMARY:

By focusing on projects that can be expedited, improving traffic flow and local access, we believe traffic in the Kapaa/Lihue corridor will be greatly improved to the benefit of locals & tourists alike.

We appreciate this opportunity to express our concerns and to make suggestions for improvement. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and to help in any way we can to make some of these suggested solutions come to fruition.

Mahalo,
Neill Sams
Vice President, Kapaa Business Association