Howzit people of Maui. My name is Callahan Welsh, I am a humble Haole from Maui that wants to help my community not suffer anymore loses of life in any situation. I am the creator of the Hawai'i Electric Light Parade here in Kihei, Maui. As I'd like to kindly keep this short and to the point. Maui is growing, sadly, and its happening quick. IF we are going to have changes, please allow our community a FUN and SAFE rideable bicycle path on every part of this island. It is doable, we know this....and most importantly, it will prevent loss of life. During my viking event, I have already had to deal with ignorant people that get in the way of the fun I provide for our community. I hope you guys understand the effect that comes with not having a proper bike path, which does lead to physical altercations with strangers in our community....and no one has the time for that....but this is the down and dirty truth. Please be mindful of creating something fun and safe in our community....by providing proper bicycle paths along the ocean for bikers to enjoy. Just remember, it could be your kid or you that gets killed because of the lack of care when it comes to biking in Maui. Gratitude for your time in reading this. Much aloha, Callahan Welsh, Former active duty Marine and Maui High School Alumni, C/O 2001. 🙏🤙
I am Donna Clayton, a resident of Pukalani, testifying in support of the Vision Zero Action Plan for the following reasons:
1. Work up for this plan has been an inclusive process. MPO has reached out to community members, connected with other community leaders and government officials to understand concerns, opportunities for solutions, process required and more. Lauren Armstrong worked with the Pukalani community on a survey of residents’ concerns about safe streets.
2. The emphasis on safe streets has moved forward into actual on the ground testing of possible solutions. Two bulb outs near Kahului schools that narrowed crossings and provided for safer biking have been accomplished. There is now a great interest in more of these as the community now can visualize the concept.
3. Emphasis on steps to stop impaired, distracted driving in this plan includes new ideas to me – such as U text U pay. Also rethinking the concept of automated traffic enforcement for red light runners.
4. The plan provides for improved data to guide decisions which will make decision makers more confident in choices they face.
5. Designing streets with safety rather than ability to get drivers to their destination as soon as possible is a good step forward.
6. Working with communities to put in place their long-desired bike and walking paths/greenways separated from the roadway is an idea whose time has come.
7. This is also a beautifully written, easy to read and understand report that demonstrates the ability to clearly communicate with community members.
As we move forward with Maui planning this plan will guide planning with community backed and workable ideas. We can work together to keep Maui Maui.
Aloha,
As a member the Department of Fire and Public Safety for the past 29 years I have responded to numerous vehicle accidents that have resulted in the loss of life. In many cases these accidents were preventable. I am in support of the Vision Zero project as it works towards the goal of preventing these unnecessary accidents.
Assistant Fire Chief Michael Werner
________________________________________
From: Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 7:33:46 AM (UTC-10:00) Hawaii
To: IT Committee <IT.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: Vision Zero Action Plan
From: Francine Aarona <mopsaarona@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, June 7, 2021 at 2:06 AM
To: Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>, Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>, Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>, Mike J. Molina <Mike.Molina@mauicounty.us>, Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>, Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>, Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>, Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>, Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vision Zero Action Plan
Aloha Committee Chair Sugimura and Council Members,
My name is Aunty Mopsy (Francine Aarona). It is always a concern when lives are lost. It takes a Mayor and a council to make things happen.
As I try to read the highlights of the Action Plan, I wonder how many of us will read the entire report. I know that MPO has worked very hard in providing a very detailed report. What would it take to send each household info on the Near-Term Actions or an important summarization of Vision Zero. I’m sure we can add to the ninety eight thousand. If this report is that important, every effort should be taken to inform our residents of saving lives.
We can start by enforcing restrictions and preventing our visitors from going where there not suppose to go. For example: Hana!
You have to make arrangements to go to Haleakala. Why not Hana!
These are things that you can do now. You don’t need to prepare a survey for that.
You all know that I represent Hui Malama Pa’ia and we try to get the word out to our residents of the county agendas. We’re not always successful in our timing.
I would like to address one section of the resolution by committee chair in receipt of extensive community input. There are many residents who are not aware of Vision Zero. This is where the Community Advisory Committee would play an important role in bringing awareness to its residents.
I support the Vision Zero Maui Action Plan. I also request that a mail out be done of the Action Plan to every household.
Mahalo for allowing me to be apart of this conversation. Ke Akau’s Blessings.
A clear way to reduce road accidents and fatalities is to reduce the number of motorcycles & mopeds and crack down on the illegal use of these vehicles (e.g., inactive registration, speeding, modified mufflers). The last time we looked at the Maui Police Department data in November 2020, of the 2,683 major motor vehicle accidents since Jan 2018, 12.5% (335) involved a motorcycle or moped. In addition, based on a Star Advertiser article (https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/11/02/breaking-news/hawaii-tallies-66-traffic-related-deaths-in-2020-to-date/), 40% of Maui's vehicle-related fatalities in 2020 involved these vehicles. Meanwhile, these vehicles probably make up 5% or less of the vehicles on the road. Therefore, it is "low hanging fruit" to reduce the use of these dangerous and aggressive "toys" on our roads. At the very least, greater enforcement of existing laws regarding proper registration of motorcycles & mopeds should help, as well as targeting reckless and speeding drivers.
An additional benefit would be that these vehicles disproportionately contribute to the increasing amount of excessive noise from a small (but growing) percent of vehicles on the road. Road noise has been shown in national and international studies to have clear public health negative consequences, in addition to reducing the quality of life on Maui.
Hi. I am a bicycle rider in Kihei. I like to ride with Callahan on his electric bicycle parade. It would be much safer if we had a designated bike path. Thankyou,
Corky Gardner
My wife and I moved to Kihei from Santa Cruz, California in January 2020. I was a bicycle commuter there year-round for most of my working career. Bicycle commuting is very doable if there is safe infrastructure in place. Maui with its mild weather and topography, readily lends itself to bicycle commuting. I currently ride daily and appreciate the bike safety infrastructure that has been put in place here and I am happy to see that those efforts are valued and are going to be increased with the adoption of the Vision Zero plan. It is important for all of us to reduce our carbon footprint. The adoption of the Vision Zero plan will help prioritize both bike and pedestrian safety projects. This will encourage the public to get out of their cars and safely avail themselves of healthy alternative means of transportation.
As a new member of the community, I look forward to helping achieve the goals of Vision Zero.
Mahalo.
Daniel Kostelec - Kihei
I live on the east side of Maui in Nahiku and drive through gridlocked tourist parking jams on a regular basis on The Road to Hana.
There are daily postings and comments from Eastside side residents about daily gridlock and the inability to pass through roadways because of visitor gridlock and illegal parking.
The visitors are not respecting no parking signs and are parking anywhere they feel like it and narrowing the pathways for cars so much so that there is no thruway for traffic to move at times.
This is an extreme worry and danger for the benefit and well-being of Eastside residents to reach medical attention at the hospital in a timely fashion.
We should not wait for someone to die in an ambulance because they cannot get through to address this problem.
Please do something about this very dangerous issue.
I have called the Hana Police department and the officers say that “they are doing all they can and that the state and county know about this problem.” The officer I spoke to also said that “they don’t have the manpower to have someone writing tickets.” Therefore not enough is being done. And this is apparent every time an east side resident drives to the other side and back again. Every single day this is an issue and it’s much much worse the last couple months.
A suggestion would be to send officers in training out to the road to Hana to write tickets, or something of the like.
There has to be some manpower somewhere on this island to help this very dangerous situation.
I have not seen any tickets being written nor have I seen tickets on any illegally parked windshields when I have driven by them.
The mayor and the governor need to know about this issue as it not only is an inconvenience but also a danger if a person cannot receive medical attention in a timely fashion by being stuck in gridlock.
mahalo,
Melissa Franklin
Nahiku, Maui
Aloha Chair Sugimura and members of the Committee, I am writing in strong support of the Council Resolution for the County of Maui to adopt the Vision Zero Plan forwarded by the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (Maui MPO). As a member of the Maui MPO Policy Board, I have had the opportunity to engage in the creation of the Vision Zero Maui Action Plan to help eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Maui's roads. This effort to promote safety, especially through education and infrastructure improvements, is very important for our community. Mahalo for your leadership and for your support of the Vision Zero efforts on Maui.
Vision Zero - great idea if it ever comes to reality. I support complete streets, I support the vision to have roads that accommodate cars, bikers, and walkers. I do not see it happening on Maui since so many roads were built just for cars. So many roads throughout Maui have no sidewalks, no bike lanes and the road itself is too narrow to support such ideas without a significant change in the road design and construction However, that being said, I do believe we can make roads safe and accommodating to other forms of transportation like biking and walking simply by reducing speed on some local roads and ENFORCEING those speed limits. Just like they announce seat belt month or distracted driving month, they should also announce speed check month. Making drivers aware that they will be enforcing the speed limits throughout the county. A first step in keeping the roads safe and reducing accidents and injuries. Some roads like South Kihei Road need to have reduced speeds as you pass the county beaches and parks.
Too many are crossing the road to use these facilities to allow for higher speeds of travel.
Submitted by Dr Mary Trotto Kihei
Testimony received by IT Committee.
Howzit people of Maui. My name is Callahan Welsh, I am a humble Haole from Maui that wants to help my community not suffer anymore loses of life in any situation. I am the creator of the Hawai'i Electric Light Parade here in Kihei, Maui. As I'd like to kindly keep this short and to the point. Maui is growing, sadly, and its happening quick. IF we are going to have changes, please allow our community a FUN and SAFE rideable bicycle path on every part of this island. It is doable, we know this....and most importantly, it will prevent loss of life. During my viking event, I have already had to deal with ignorant people that get in the way of the fun I provide for our community. I hope you guys understand the effect that comes with not having a proper bike path, which does lead to physical altercations with strangers in our community....and no one has the time for that....but this is the down and dirty truth. Please be mindful of creating something fun and safe in our community....by providing proper bicycle paths along the ocean for bikers to enjoy. Just remember, it could be your kid or you that gets killed because of the lack of care when it comes to biking in Maui. Gratitude for your time in reading this. Much aloha, Callahan Welsh, Former active duty Marine and Maui High School Alumni, C/O 2001. 🙏🤙
Good morning,
I am Donna Clayton, a resident of Pukalani, testifying in support of the Vision Zero Action Plan for the following reasons:
1. Work up for this plan has been an inclusive process. MPO has reached out to community members, connected with other community leaders and government officials to understand concerns, opportunities for solutions, process required and more. Lauren Armstrong worked with the Pukalani community on a survey of residents’ concerns about safe streets.
2. The emphasis on safe streets has moved forward into actual on the ground testing of possible solutions. Two bulb outs near Kahului schools that narrowed crossings and provided for safer biking have been accomplished. There is now a great interest in more of these as the community now can visualize the concept.
3. Emphasis on steps to stop impaired, distracted driving in this plan includes new ideas to me – such as U text U pay. Also rethinking the concept of automated traffic enforcement for red light runners.
4. The plan provides for improved data to guide decisions which will make decision makers more confident in choices they face.
5. Designing streets with safety rather than ability to get drivers to their destination as soon as possible is a good step forward.
6. Working with communities to put in place their long-desired bike and walking paths/greenways separated from the roadway is an idea whose time has come.
7. This is also a beautifully written, easy to read and understand report that demonstrates the ability to clearly communicate with community members.
As we move forward with Maui planning this plan will guide planning with community backed and workable ideas. We can work together to keep Maui Maui.
Please support the Vision Zero Action Plan.
Mahalo for the opportunity to comment.
Aloha,
Donna Clayton
Pukalani
808/344-7134
Aloha,
As a member the Department of Fire and Public Safety for the past 29 years I have responded to numerous vehicle accidents that have resulted in the loss of life. In many cases these accidents were preventable. I am in support of the Vision Zero project as it works towards the goal of preventing these unnecessary accidents.
Assistant Fire Chief Michael Werner
________________________________________
From: Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 7:33:46 AM (UTC-10:00) Hawaii
To: IT Committee <IT.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: Vision Zero Action Plan
From: Francine Aarona <mopsaarona@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, June 7, 2021 at 2:06 AM
To: Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>, Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>, Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>, Mike J. Molina <Mike.Molina@mauicounty.us>, Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>, Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>, Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>, Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>, Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vision Zero Action Plan
Aloha Committee Chair Sugimura and Council Members,
My name is Aunty Mopsy (Francine Aarona). It is always a concern when lives are lost. It takes a Mayor and a council to make things happen.
As I try to read the highlights of the Action Plan, I wonder how many of us will read the entire report. I know that MPO has worked very hard in providing a very detailed report. What would it take to send each household info on the Near-Term Actions or an important summarization of Vision Zero. I’m sure we can add to the ninety eight thousand. If this report is that important, every effort should be taken to inform our residents of saving lives.
We can start by enforcing restrictions and preventing our visitors from going where there not suppose to go. For example: Hana!
You have to make arrangements to go to Haleakala. Why not Hana!
These are things that you can do now. You don’t need to prepare a survey for that.
You all know that I represent Hui Malama Pa’ia and we try to get the word out to our residents of the county agendas. We’re not always successful in our timing.
I would like to address one section of the resolution by committee chair in receipt of extensive community input. There are many residents who are not aware of Vision Zero. This is where the Community Advisory Committee would play an important role in bringing awareness to its residents.
I support the Vision Zero Maui Action Plan. I also request that a mail out be done of the Action Plan to every household.
Mahalo for allowing me to be apart of this conversation. Ke Akau’s Blessings.
Aunty Mopsy/Hui Malama Pa’ia
A clear way to reduce road accidents and fatalities is to reduce the number of motorcycles & mopeds and crack down on the illegal use of these vehicles (e.g., inactive registration, speeding, modified mufflers). The last time we looked at the Maui Police Department data in November 2020, of the 2,683 major motor vehicle accidents since Jan 2018, 12.5% (335) involved a motorcycle or moped. In addition, based on a Star Advertiser article (https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/11/02/breaking-news/hawaii-tallies-66-traffic-related-deaths-in-2020-to-date/), 40% of Maui's vehicle-related fatalities in 2020 involved these vehicles. Meanwhile, these vehicles probably make up 5% or less of the vehicles on the road. Therefore, it is "low hanging fruit" to reduce the use of these dangerous and aggressive "toys" on our roads. At the very least, greater enforcement of existing laws regarding proper registration of motorcycles & mopeds should help, as well as targeting reckless and speeding drivers.
An additional benefit would be that these vehicles disproportionately contribute to the increasing amount of excessive noise from a small (but growing) percent of vehicles on the road. Road noise has been shown in national and international studies to have clear public health negative consequences, in addition to reducing the quality of life on Maui.
Mahalo for your consideration.
- Quieter & Healthier Maui
Hi. I am a bicycle rider in Kihei. I like to ride with Callahan on his electric bicycle parade. It would be much safer if we had a designated bike path. Thankyou,
Corky Gardner
My wife and I moved to Kihei from Santa Cruz, California in January 2020. I was a bicycle commuter there year-round for most of my working career. Bicycle commuting is very doable if there is safe infrastructure in place. Maui with its mild weather and topography, readily lends itself to bicycle commuting. I currently ride daily and appreciate the bike safety infrastructure that has been put in place here and I am happy to see that those efforts are valued and are going to be increased with the adoption of the Vision Zero plan. It is important for all of us to reduce our carbon footprint. The adoption of the Vision Zero plan will help prioritize both bike and pedestrian safety projects. This will encourage the public to get out of their cars and safely avail themselves of healthy alternative means of transportation.
As a new member of the community, I look forward to helping achieve the goals of Vision Zero.
Mahalo.
Daniel Kostelec - Kihei
I live on the east side of Maui in Nahiku and drive through gridlocked tourist parking jams on a regular basis on The Road to Hana.
There are daily postings and comments from Eastside side residents about daily gridlock and the inability to pass through roadways because of visitor gridlock and illegal parking.
The visitors are not respecting no parking signs and are parking anywhere they feel like it and narrowing the pathways for cars so much so that there is no thruway for traffic to move at times.
This is an extreme worry and danger for the benefit and well-being of Eastside residents to reach medical attention at the hospital in a timely fashion.
We should not wait for someone to die in an ambulance because they cannot get through to address this problem.
Please do something about this very dangerous issue.
I have called the Hana Police department and the officers say that “they are doing all they can and that the state and county know about this problem.” The officer I spoke to also said that “they don’t have the manpower to have someone writing tickets.” Therefore not enough is being done. And this is apparent every time an east side resident drives to the other side and back again. Every single day this is an issue and it’s much much worse the last couple months.
A suggestion would be to send officers in training out to the road to Hana to write tickets, or something of the like.
There has to be some manpower somewhere on this island to help this very dangerous situation.
I have not seen any tickets being written nor have I seen tickets on any illegally parked windshields when I have driven by them.
The mayor and the governor need to know about this issue as it not only is an inconvenience but also a danger if a person cannot receive medical attention in a timely fashion by being stuck in gridlock.
mahalo,
Melissa Franklin
Nahiku, Maui
Aloha Chair Sugimura and members of the Committee, I am writing in strong support of the Council Resolution for the County of Maui to adopt the Vision Zero Plan forwarded by the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (Maui MPO). As a member of the Maui MPO Policy Board, I have had the opportunity to engage in the creation of the Vision Zero Maui Action Plan to help eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Maui's roads. This effort to promote safety, especially through education and infrastructure improvements, is very important for our community. Mahalo for your leadership and for your support of the Vision Zero efforts on Maui.
Vision Zero - great idea if it ever comes to reality. I support complete streets, I support the vision to have roads that accommodate cars, bikers, and walkers. I do not see it happening on Maui since so many roads were built just for cars. So many roads throughout Maui have no sidewalks, no bike lanes and the road itself is too narrow to support such ideas without a significant change in the road design and construction However, that being said, I do believe we can make roads safe and accommodating to other forms of transportation like biking and walking simply by reducing speed on some local roads and ENFORCEING those speed limits. Just like they announce seat belt month or distracted driving month, they should also announce speed check month. Making drivers aware that they will be enforcing the speed limits throughout the county. A first step in keeping the roads safe and reducing accidents and injuries. Some roads like South Kihei Road need to have reduced speeds as you pass the county beaches and parks.
Too many are crossing the road to use these facilities to allow for higher speeds of travel.
Submitted by Dr Mary Trotto Kihei