Ane Keohokalole Highway extension needed
Mr. Mark Van Pernis’ recent commentary regarding Palamanui’s request to amend their zoning entitlements was way off base. 1250 Oceanside/Hokulia paid Hawaii County $20 million as a part of the settlement that fulfills their obligation to construct the rest of the Mamalahoa Highway bypass between Halekii Street and Napoopoo Junction. In addition, Oceanside’s bonding company, American Motorist Insurance Co., agreed to pay the county $12.5 million to satisfy their obligations toward constructing this road. In short, the taxpayers won’t have to pay a single dime to extend the Mamalahoa Highway bypass to Napoopoo Junction.
As far as Mr. Van Pernis’ concerns about Palamanui’s zoning amendment changes, I firmly believe the mauka to makai connector road is not needed at this time. The traffic flow is going north to south, not heading toward the ocean from the mauka side. This is why we need Ane Keohokalole Highway Phase 3 between Hina Lani Street and Kaiminani Drive constructed. The county is in the process of starting preliminary work on this future highway. It would behoove the county and Palamanui to amend Palamanui’s obligations from constructing the mauka to makai connector road to assisting the county in the construction of Ane Keohokalole Highway Phase 3.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
More firefighters, not OT
I read your WHT front page story of May 23 regarding a suit brought by two fire department employees, one of whom claimed to have “lost” $40,000 in overtime and vacation pay during a seven-month suspension. This led me to do some simple math, which equates to some $68,500 per year in vacation and overtime pay for just this one individual.
My question is that if we taxpayers are paying so much in overtime pay, which is usually paid at least at time and a half, why doesn’t the fire department simply hire enough personnel to cover the required duties and pay them at regular pay rates? I have no doubt that there are many qualified firefighters to fill the positions and that would be happy to get the opportunity for the promotions.
Dan Miller
Kailua-Kona