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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
City uses study
in making call
on parking signsQuestion: What is the process for getting "No Parking Here to Corner" signs put up at an intersection? Lumikula Street near Waipio Uka Street (heading toward Crestview) curves to the right, and those exiting Penakii Place are unable to see cars coming from the left from Waipio Uka Street because of trucks, SUVs and other large cars parked to the very corner along Lumikula Street. Most have windshield covers that effectively block any view of Lumikula Street for quite a ways. This is particularly true in the late afternoons when residents try to park near their homes. Cars traveling along Lumikula toward Crestview also can't see cars exiting that intersection until they reach the intersection. I've called police when the situation is particularly dangerous, but signs might help prevent the situation from occurring.
Answer: The city Department of Transportation Services reviewed a three-year history of traffic accidents in the area and concluded there is no need to restrict parking on Lumikula Street at Penakii Place.
However, a field inspection last month showed that a hedge in the sidewalk area on the mauka-Ewa corner of the intersection was more than 4 feet tall and restricting the available sight distance, said Transportation Director Cheryl Soon.
Inspectors also found that a vehicle parked on the mauka side of Penakii Place was extending illegally into the corner of the intersection, "thereby aggravating the traffic situation," she said.
The city Department of Parks & Recreation was asked to remove the hedge in question or to cut it back to 30 inches or less in height. Soon said HPD also was asked to make sure that vehicles are legally parked in the area.
As to what the normal procedure is in determining whether parking should be restricted in an area, Soon said the process would begin with a study.
"To minimize the chance of having neighborhood complaints when the installation of a parking ban is considered, we attempt to ascertain whether public safety is an issue," she said.
To this end, a field investigation is conducted, and the area's accident history is reviewed, as happened in this case.
If you would like to pursue the matter further, Soon said the department would reconsider your request for "no parking" signs "if a strong majority of all the affected/abutting property owners sign a petition supporting this restriction and both the area homeowners association and neighborhood board support the proposal."
Auwe
To the female driver of a green GMC van. At 8:21 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, you made an illegal right turn from Bishop Street, heading Ewa onto Ala Moana. First of all, you ran the red light. Secondly, you turned into the second lane into my path, just so you could pass the car in front of you. I'm glad I have fast reflexes and good brakes, otherwise you would have been the cause of a major pile-up. I'm also glad you realized your mistake, and hid your face as everyone drove past you, until you reached the Iwilei City Mill. Next time, you should think about taking the bus or a cab. -- Anonymous
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