We live in the Kahaluu Beach area and are very concerned about our safety, the safety of our neighbors, and the safety of visitors to our area due to the traffic impacts of the proposed 305-unit Ocean Villas timeshare project.
The simple fact is that Alii Drive is already over crowded and congested. This is due to population increases in the area, rentals, drivers avoiding the traffic on Kuakini Highway, and the opening of the Captain Cook bypass to Alii Drive. It is at times very difficult to access Alii Drive from our street because of all the traffic.
This development was initially approved when its plans called for its ingress and egress to be on the proposed parkway, which has not been built. The developers now desire to access Alii Drive for ingress and egress, this would place an undue strain on an already congested road. A 305-unit development would place 305 to over 600 vehicles on this road (one to two cars per unit, along with employees).
Where the safety of our families, residents and visitors seriously becomes important is during emergencies and natural disasters. As a former emergency manager for a large city, I am well aware of the difficulties and traffic problems while evacuating areas during disasters. The additional traffic load placed on Alii Drive by this development could be catastrophic for many.
The 300 to 600 extra vehicles accessing an already overcrowded street would mean certain gridlock. The effect easily could be lives lost unnecessarily. This development should not be allowed to begin until ingress and egress is used other than Alii Drive. I am sure the developer has stated they will look at other ingress and egress sites, and will use them when they are developed.
The alternatives other than using Alii Drive should be in place prior to any building. Our safety should not be dependent on a promise to build future access. A risk versus benefit analysis would show that the benefits for a few (profits) do not warrant the risks to residents and visitors. Put the horse back in front of the cart and build the infrastructure before the development.
Michael McGuire is a resident of Kailua-Kona