Author: fryiii

Friday, Feb, 26th Help Slow down Speeders

Greetings Puako Residents!

For all those who are concerned about the speeding in
 Puako, our Puako Community Police Liason, Officer 
Hookano has arranged to be at Beach Access #138 this
 coming Friday, Feb 26th at 7:45 a.m. with 3 other 
officers, planning to join as many Puako residents 
as possible for a sign waving to get the message 
out to speeders that our community has had enough 
of the speeding.

This is fair warning to the speeders, to be followed 
up with more police presence and citations issued.

The only way this can be effective is with community 
support, working with the police to get the message 
out. Please plan to join us and bring your own sign 
if you can!

WHAT:  Police CTAP Sign-Waving for Speeders
WHERE: Puako Beach Access #138
WHEN: Friday, February 26th - 7:45 a.m.
WHO: YOU…your community and your local police officers
WHY: Stop Puako speeders and protect our community!

See you all there! MAHALO!
Concerned Puako Residents

Seattle Aquarium Visit

Seattle Aquarium

THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM IS BACK IN PUAKO

February 3rd at 6 pm at the Hokuloa Church

Aquarium biologists participate in the 8th annual reef survey comparing protected and non protected areas and measuring coral health

Every winter beginning in 2009 in late January or early February, four fortunate Seattle Aquarium biologists travel to the west coast of Hawaii to conduct annual reef surveys. Centered in Puako, the sites are located in both marine protected (Puako and Old Kona Airport) and non-protected areas (Mahukona). Fish are counted from the underwater video files and the data is used to determine significant changes in species diversity or abundance over time and between protected and non-protected areas. The video data is also used to compare percent coral cover in the different reef sites and to document the relative health of the corals or percent bleaching. 2016 marks the Seattle Aquarium’s eight year partnering with Humboldt State University and Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources on these annual surveys.

Please join us February 3rd at 6 pm at the Hokuloa Church in Puako to hear about the results of the Seattle Aquarium’s coral reef research, our work with coral growth, and coral bleaching events.

Seattle Aquarium

 

A great time had by all and their presentation at the church was very informative!

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Marie Addario

Puako Speeders, We need Your help

23 January 2016

Aloha Puako Residents,

We’ve noticed over the last few months a tremendous increase in speeding along Puako Beach Drive. It seems to peak on weekends and during times of good surf. It is an issue of serious concern throughout our neighborhood.

In the last few weeks we have contacted Margaret Wille (our county council representative) and attended the 1/12/16 NKTSC meeting (North Kohala Traffic Safety Committee) where we learned the following:

*Ron Thiel (traffic division chief for Hawaii County) suggested a trial speed hump to test on Puako Beach Drive (permanent installation requires 67% approval from the Community).

*Our new community police liaison is Officer Kelena Hookano, ph.# 887-3080, hours: 6:45am-3:30pm

*Community Traffic Awareness Program member Officer May Lee has informed us that the starting point for police action must begin with our Puako Neighborhood Watch members working with police officers flagging speeders. The next stage is issuing citations by the police, then, if justified, installing the “Stealth Box” (it records # of vehicles & their speed).

* Residents are asked to provide testimony at County Council meeting Feb.2 – you need not be present to provide testimony, you can fax:  to (808) 961-8912 or email:  Counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or by mail:  County Clerk’s Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 expressing your concerns about speeding in Puako.

* Residents submit speeding form when you see speeding violators… See attached. Form a “text group” wherein a member of this group identifies a speeder & immediately sends text to group so all members will call in speeding report to police.

What you can do: 

  1. Let us know if you’d like a test speed hump
  2. Would you be willing to help on a “flagging day”?
  3. Attend a Neighborhood Watch meeting with a police representative (date to be announced)
  4. Provide testimony on 2/2/2016
  5. Complete the speeding form when witnessing speeders
  6. Use this forum for any suggestions you might have in dealing with this issue

Mahalo,

Jill and Steve Eitel

Speeding Report form for Police