Should homestead communities help pick up the tab for speed humps on their streets?
Should homestead communities help pick up the tab for speed humps on their streets?
That was an issue raised Thursday when several Keaukaha residents objected to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands being billed the cost of materials for installing the speed controls on Pakele Lane.
“Asking our families to pay for these speed bumps for safety is just not pono,” Terri Napeahi, of the Keaukaha Action Network, said during a County Council Finance Committee meeting.
Testifiers said they should be treated like other county residents.
The committee postponed the resolution to enter into the cost-share agreement with DHHL since Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy wasn’t present. Her district includes Keaukaha.
Some council members expressed sympathy with the testifiers.
“I don’t see this as any different in installing speed humps on Hawaiian Home Lands versus any other in the county that’s open to the public or that’s considered a public road,” said Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung.
County officials said the roads belong to DHHL, but the county takes care of maintenance.
Jeffrey Fujimoto, a DHHL engineer, told the council that the agency is looking to use money from a legislative appropriation rather than trust money for the three speed humps.
He said the cost would be $6,000.
Pakele Lane resident Kekai Kamai said he started a petition to get the traffic controls put in. He said drivers speed on their way to Hualani Park.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
