July 1, 2011
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Aloha!
In this newsletter, you will learn of current projects at hand and hear from some of our board members and one of our community volunteers as they enlighten you with their accomplishments.
May you all enjoy the celebration of 4th of July!
Bob Pure
President, Board of Directors
Lahaina Bypass Now
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
by Bob Pure
The first two Phases of the Lahaina Bypass, from Hokiokio to Keawe Street, are due to be completed about a year from now, in the summer of 2012. Current progress is on schedule. In conversation with our Legislators and with the State Dept. of Transportation, the next Phase of the Bypass will move north from Keawe Street. Design funds are in the budget for 2012. The plan is to move the road north before it moves south.
We have also made the State DOT aware that the intersection of Keawe Street and the Highway will become problematic when the first two Phases of the Bypass are completed and a combination of Bypass traffic wanting to go north and school traffic from Lahainluna schools, also wanting to go north, converge in that intersection. The DOT is committed to make whatever "fixes" necessary to insure a smooth traffic flow.
And, finally, the one mile widening of the Highway, coming in and out of Lahaina, with its tree-lined median, has proven to be a great success in eliminating prior bottlenecks and traffic slowdowns. It has made a big difference.
MEETING WITH THE MAYOR
by Stacie Thorlakson
LBN meeting with Mayor Alan Arakawa
May 19th - The LBN Board members met with Mayor Alan Arakawa to discuss our concerns on the westside. Our agenda entailed the following:
• Road improvements for bicyclist on the corners of Lahainaluna Road and Honoapiilani Hwy.
• Seek alternative road improvements along Honoapiilani Hwy, for tenth of a mile by Canoes Restaurant, to connect the walking path from Kapalua to 505 Front Street. Plus, provide safety for pedestrians and bicyclist.
• Force Main Project
• Public Transit shelters & modify bus schedule for late shift workers
• Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program
Since then, we have received a positive outcome from our meeting with the mayor as you read below. Thank you Mayor and the individuals who listened and helped us solve some of our concerns.
LBN meeting with Mayor Alan Arakawa
FORCE MAIN PROJECT
by Chad Fukunaga
The Lahaina force main #3 replacement project includes the installation of 6,910 feet of 20”’ PVC piping to replace an aging ductile iron force main traversing from an sewer manhole in Kaanapali Golf Course just north of the cart path bridge over Honoapiilani Highway, to Wahikuli Pump Station No. 3 situated north of Wahikuli Road and Honoapiilani Highway intersection . A portion of the route travels through Wahikuli State Wayside Park and Honokaoo Park. The alignment of the force main through the parks allows for the partnership between the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Parks & Recreation to include as part of the project an installation of a 6’ wide 4,854 foot long pedestrian trail through the two noted parks. The trail will provide a route for pedestrians to safely traverse and enjoy the scenery.
As of June 29, five of the Planning Commission members present, voted in favor of the SMA permit and Shoreline Setback variance. The department is currently routing the plans through the agencies for review, and hope to go out to bid by September, October at the latest. They need to contract by years end.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
by Carol Reimann
Maui Transportation officials report the following:
• A new 25-passenger and 10 new paratransit vehicles will be arriving this year
• Pads for 4 new bus shelters have been completed. Once the amenities that are currently being constructed are ready, the projects will be finalized. The shelters are located as follows:
• 1 at Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului
• 1 at Ka Hale A Ke Ola in Wailuku
• 2 by Luana Gardens in Kahului
• Construction bids are being collected for 5 additional bus shelters at:
• 2 at Uwapo Road in Kihei near the old Suda Store
• 2 at Ohukai in Kihei
• 1 by the Eddie Tam Gym in Makawao
• July 29 is the anticipated date for the acceptance of bids for the paratransit contract. Bids will be reviewed by a third party panel in Oahu.
• Due to safety concerns, plans are underway to reverse the flow of traffic on Luakini Street in Lahaina. Currently buses are dropping passengers off in the middle of the street. Reversing the flow would allow passengers to be dropped off right at the sidewalk of the Wharf Cinema Center.
• Via the federal “Buy America” program, 2 double-decker buses for Maui have been secured. The first vehicle should be on-island by the end of this year with the second sometime in the Spring of 2012. The buses will service the Kihei & Lahaina areas.
• Maui DOT currently manages a fleet of over 50 vehicles and 78 bus stops throughout the island.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
by Lisa Cabingas
Safe Routes to School, is a program of the U.S. Dept of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The importance of this program is to assist states and communities in enabling and encouraging children to walk and bicycle to school safely. By networking with the Hawaii SRTS Hui, The State of Hawaii DOT, The County of Maui Public Works Dept., and the involvement of Lahaina Bypass Now, these entities have all played a key role in obtaining funds for our community.
At the present time we are awaiting the release of these federal funds for 2 Maui Safe Routes to School projects, included are; Princess Nahiena’ena Elementary School in Lahaina and Kamalii Elementary School in Kihei for first round infrastructure improvements slated for the summer of 2011.
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