Hawaii County Highway Safety Council met May 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL `TC; RDER & ROLL CALL
Sharon Vitousek called the meeting to order at 11: 06 a. m.
Present:
Jesse Ebersole — Hawai' i County Fire Department, EMS
Guaner Mench — Kohala Traffic Safety Council
Ken"Obenski — Kona Traffic Safety Council
Jon,01son — Puna Traffic Safety Council
Mitch Roth — Hawai' i County Prosecuting Attorney
Ronald Thiel — Hawai' i County Department of Public Works, Traffic Division
Sharon Vitousek -- Chairperson
Neil Yoshioka -- Hawaii County Fire Department
Absent:
Jeffrey Castillo — North Hawaii Community Hospital
Bobby Command -- Hawai' i County Planning Department
Louise Fincher — Hilo Medical Center
Joseph Kamelarnela — Corporation Counsel
Sal Panem —State Department of Transportation
Robert Pauole — Hawai'i County Police —Traffic Services
Gerald Takase — Department of Liquor Control
Wendi Wagner -- Kona Community Hospital
Guests;
Keri Dickie -Clark -- Community Member
Gregor Ragan — Hawai' i County Council Member, District 4
Patricia Kawachi — Notary Public, Mobile Notary
Billy Kenoi -- Hawai' i County Mayor
Roy Lozano -- Puna Traffic Safety Council
Steve Morifuji — Department of Liquor, Control
Minutes from February 11, 201.4
Voice votes,- all members approved (2) amendments to minutes
Amendments Corrections to Minutes:
Item #8 — sentence before action; department investigates ALL traffic fatalities and any DUI with a minor involved for any indication of licensing involvement.
Definition of minor; anyone under the age of 21. Opened up the liquor control class to anyone between the ages of 18- 21 years old. Legal for an 18 year old to serve liquor but cannot hold a managers card.
ACTION: Upon motion and seconded, minutes for February 11, 2014 approved and filed.
PUBLIC STATEMENT
1) Ked Dickie -Clark
Concern: Lava tree tunnel along Highway 132 — How are trees being maintained? Suggests fruit and nut bearing trees be planted instead of albizia trees along the highway. Has the issue been addressed? What is the possibility of planting these types of trees along this highway?
2) Ken Obenski
Concern: Motorcycle safety, Brought informational books for anyone interested.
Concerti 2: Reasonable speed limits ..-- if they are set too low they are ignored. Inaccurate speed limits being set enables poor or dangerous driving.
ACTION: Sharon asked if speed limit topic appears on the next agenda who would Ken suggest provide information for attendees'? Sharon will try to add speed limit diS( uSSi( 7 n at the end of today' s agenda, if able to.
Comments. -
Ron Thiek speed limits depend on Department of Transportation,
Mitch Roth: Council needs the formula used for setting speed limits,
3) Announcements: Department of Transportation (DOT) Public Informational Meetings Statewide Transportation Improvement Program ( STIP) for, Fiscal Years 2015- 2018
• Tuesday, May 27th - 6 p. m. @ Pahoa Neighborhood Facility, 15- 2710 Kauhale Street
• Wednesday, May 28th - 6 p. m, @ Hilo State Office Building, Conference Rooms A, B and C, 75Aupuni Street
• Thursday, May291h - 6 p. pm. @ Wairnea Civic Center, 67- 5189 Karnamalu Street
• Friday, May 30th - 6 p. m. @ Kealakehe Intermediate School Cafeteria, 74-5062 Onipaa Street
ACTION: Sharon asked members if there are any additional items to be added to today' s meeting agenda. Ron Thiek Passing zones and bicycle safety
Sharon Vitousek: Alcohol and drug related deaths,- handout
Notary Public in attendance ( Patricia Kawachi)
1.) Sharan Vitousek
2) Jesse Ebersole
OLD BUSINESS
1. Engineering/Facility Fesign
a) Report on high crash locations, data to identify locations and interventions
Ron Thiel (DPW) reported the following:
• There is a shortage of passing zones and additional lanes island -wide. Passing lanes are few and far between,- should be every 3 to 8 miles, based on national standards. Inadequate passing zones, frequently lead to inappropriate and dangerous passing, such as drivers speeding to get past other vehicles. Current highway speed limit is 55 mph.
Concern: Passing vehicles must exceed set speed limit by 5-10 mph to pass another vehicle. Is it possible to pass a law that states it is acceptable to pass another vehicle and exceed the speed limit while doing so?
• Received a letter of concern from bike riders in Waikoloa. Request a minimum of 6 foot wide shoulders along Waikoloa Village Road. Ron supports this idea. .
Plan: Would involve DPW striping to indicate bike lanes using skid resistant striping material. Solid lines will indicate where bike use is. Striping will appear to match skip lines and merge lanes. DPW is able to complete 5- 10 miles of bike lanes annually.
MOTION: HCHSC recommends that we follow DPW recommendations to:
• Increase the number of passing zones to be more consistent with national standards,
• Improve bike safety between Queen K Highway and Highway 190 by adding shoulders.
ACTION: All members in favor — none opposed, none abstained. Motion passes,
b) High crash location & interventions (State)
No member from State DOT present.
b) High crash locations & interventions (EMS)
Jesse Ebersole ( Fire Department, EMS) reported the following:
• Crashes between the 1. 1 and 12 mile marker on Saddle Road.
From 2009- 2012: A low of 8 crashes; high of 38 crashes in the same area
Since 2012: 37 documented crashes
This calendar year: 21 documented crashes
Suggestions. DPW could add more striping and signs to indicate cross slopes throughout the road. Road has inadequate elevation. Majority of accidents occur along the left side of the road and are single vehicle crashes,
ACTION: This discussion topic will be added to next HCHSC agenda, Ron Thiel is currently working on improvement plans. No motion made by council.
2. OVUII —Public Awareness Campaign for Hawaii County
Bobby Command not present
Sharon Vitousek ( HCHSC Chairperson) shared the following information:
• Public Awareness Campaign — Hawai'i County Departments committed to making the reduction of impaired driving deaths a priority by utilizing a public awareness campaign.
Plan: Integrate a common message regarding impaired driving with emphasis on data -driven performance.
Discussion: Since it seemed that the mayor previous press conference on safe & sober driving before the holidays helped to get the message out previously, do we want to recommend that the Mayor try to do a similar event between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year? Mitch recommended we discuss this with Mayor at next meeting,
ACTION: Sharon Vitousek to obtain updated information from Bobby Command, Once information is obtained, Sharon will present information to HCHSC meeting. Sharon also stated that motion
3. Department of Liquor Control currently interviewing' for 2 additional investigators for, East Hawaii.
Compliance Checks:
• 2008: Started tracking date --- 23% non compliant; underage decoys could purchase alcohol.
• Current Cycle: Non compliance reduced to 6%
• Decoy compliance checks completed annually
• Fines: Range from $1, 000 .. $3, 000
Suspension of license: Occurs due to sales made to minors; in some cases this occurred for 5 consecutive business days and there is a 30 day suspension for allowing sale to a minor
A total of 4 licensees unable to meet requirements to have license reinstated.
Difficulties: Finding decoys
• Program brings decoys in from C' ahu; this is to avoid retaliation.
• Typically, the person who sells to a minor is a friend
Suggestion/Plan of Action:
• Police or Fire recruits under 21 may be good decoy candidates.
• Plans to speak to Police and Fire Chiefs regarding recruits.
Licensees have been doing well. They are being educated and they care. The key is education and enforcement to continue to keep compliance ratings high,
• Retail outlets — Class 4: Over 200 licenses
• Total Licenses: 400 ( currently)
4. Hawaii Strategic HighwaSafely Plan
a) SHSP implementation in Hawaii County
Mitch Roth ( Prosecuting Attorney) reported the following:
Moving forward with strategic plan for 2013- 2017
To view strategic plan, visit: hjtp.:/zWww, hawaiishs corn_
• Final version of strategic plan should be released soon
• Big Island represented and served well in new strategic plan
• New to strategic plan: first responders emphasis areas [ Ex: speeding, impaired driving, safeguarding pedestrians/ bicyclists, motorcycle and moped safety, improving data and safety management systems.]
New data for, m DOH/ FABS shows a High level of impaired driving in state and on Hawaii Island: 2012-
• 54% of fatalities were alcohol related
• 44% of fatalities were drug related
• About a 20% overlap ( both alcohol and drugs
• 70% of traffic fatalities on Hawaii island are alcohol or drug related
Drug of choice for the drug related fatalities is marijuana. This is related to the fact that Drivers under the influence of marijuana have delayed response times.
• Currently researching levels that are being used in Washington and Colorado
• Concern: Children using e -cigarettes and putting marijuana oils in them - .05 normal level; when oils are added it increases the level to .31.
a) What progress is being made on implementation of EMS SHSP recommendations and what are the barriers, Jesse Ebersole ( EMS) reported the following.
Barriers: EMS limited to " every second counts and is vital" wording in the strategic plan, Any grant funding that was applied for were field to this phrase and had to revolve specifically around that phrase.
Action., The Safe Communities grant pool of money is very small and Mitch Roth was able to help create a new category under SHSP to assist with focusing on first responder interventions. The new SHSP plan recommends EMS 10 Frist responder strategies, many of which Hawaii County EMS are working on,
Other Comments/ Discussion,
• Service Tracking: Anyone who utilizes EMS 3 times or more in one month is tracked. This information is used to create a list of high- utilizers so that EMS can conduct home visits to provide educational opportunities and ideally connect the client to community services as alternative to utilizing tacting EMS. EMS is Collaborating with Public Health and Hilo Medical Center to assist with this data tracking information.
• 20% of all calls are attributed to 300 patients.
• Keiki Car Seat Checks: Fitting stations located at fire stations island. -wide.
Rate of incorrect installation: 99% -- possibly due to a disconnect between car seat manufacturers and car manufacturers.
5. Roundtable Updates
a) Puna Highway Safety Council Issues
Jon Olson reported the following:
• There is a significant concern about timely Emergency Response:
o Puna Regional Town Center is expected to grow to 50, 000 people requiring infrastructure and capacity to meet emergency needs of potentially 50,000 people.
o Delays in 130 widening which result in effective narrowing make access for emergency vehicles an even bigger challenge.
• Development:
Allow for expansion of commercial developments in Puna. ( Ex: Bryson Cinder' s Development)
• State:
a) Highway 130 expansion ( shoulder lane conversion project); should have been completed a long time ago. Still awaiting signalization along corridor so that highway is four lanes.
b) Roundabout:
Being built under emergency funding process which means it' s incomplete. County services located at the same area where roundabout will be constructed.
Concern: EMS will now have to navigate through roundabout construction phase,
Questions: Where Kahakai Boulevard meets Highway 130; will this area be utilized as a detour? Will it be controlled by a timed traffic signal?
Comments/Answers:
(Ron Thiel) Funding source for roundabout is the Safety Improvement Program. Confirmed that crosswalks have been added to the current roundabout plans.
(Jon Olson) Stated that P5hoa Council Office seems to riot have the most updated roundabout plans posted for public view. The current plans posted have no crosswalks.
(Ron Thiel) Obtained information regarding roundabout during a meeting held last week. Electrical installer hired for project confirmed 3temporary signal lights, Developer still working with Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regarding the permanent traffic signal.
ACTION: HCHSC to request updated roundabout project plans from State Department of Transportation. 5alPanenn from DOT (an provide copies to HCHSC, P5hoa Council Office to post updated plans for public view.
• Shoulder Lanes Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Issues:
Areas of concern:
o Pahoa- Kapoho Road
o Safe routes to school; moved bus pick up locations. Kids are walking along Nanawale Road; shoulders are not maintained. Highway 132 in need of albizia tree maintenance.
o Pahoa Post Office Road
o Puna needs to get control of existing right of way
o Aninaloa Boulevard -- paving construction along right of way towards Highway 130. Now bus goes Ainaloa Longhouse so people walking home from the bus are still walking through mud along the shoulder of the road,
o Hawaiian Acres, Road 8 ( Moho Rodd)— no shoulder lanes
Comments:
The level of maintenance needed is extremely high. Population center of the Big Island is Puna. Puna Highway Safety Council requesting an increase to the level of service.
Recommendations from Puna Highway Safety Council: HCHSC to support the need to address and resolve the inadequate shoulders and bike lane needs throughout Puna,
MOTION: ( Jon Olson) County of Hawai'i to prioritize improvements to its roads in the Puna district, especially in regard to shoulders arid bike lanes,
Comments:
(Jon Olson) Connectivity points are a serious issue throughout Puna; subdivisions are not connected, Ron Thiel) This Council ( HCHSC) is no Puna focused, Look at prioritization as a whole. Challenges are island-wide.
Suggestions:
(Mitch Roth) Ron Thiel can provide a presentation during next Puna Highway Safety Council meeting. Gunner Mench) Suggests that Jon call for a public meeting for Puna Traffic Safety Committee.
ACTION: Jon Olson to contact Ron Thiel regarding presentation. Jon to also plan public meeting, as suggested. Sharon Vitousek stated that this discussion/ follow-up will be added to next month' s meeting agenda.
c) Policy efforts -motorcycle mandate
No discussion
d) Other
No discussion
NEW BUSINESS
5. Big questions for HCHSC
*Discussion Topic skipped due to time constraints
If HCHSC were wildly successful, what would be better? What would success look like?
• (Assumptions: meets 3- 4 times a year around island, and has no paid staff)
How do you think we can make this group even more effective in each of the existing roles?
• Annual Recommendations to Mayor? [Does this group want/ need information on priorities and metrics for each of the many agencies involved in traffic safety?]
• Recommendations on Safe Community Funding? [ Does this group want/ need information on outcomes/ evaluation of grants in order to make informed recommendations?)
7. Other issues for next time?
NONE
8. FUTURE MEETINGS --- September 16, Tuesday, 2014. Same time (11 a. m.). Location will most likely be Kealakekua. Kona Community Hospital conference room 2, thanks to Wendi Wagner and Karen Eoff staff to help
9. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/doc/76580/Page1.aspx