The Kona Blog

An anonymous tipster e-mailed me this letter from Oceanic Time Warner sent to the residents of Hualalai Resort. Apparently as soon as the 4th quarter of 2008, they will be offering symmetrical 100Mbps/100Mbps fiber to the home service on the Big Island to the residents of the Hualalai Resort.

I tried calling up the person listed in this letter. I asked her if this will be only available at the Hualalai Resort or elsewhere on the Big Island. She told me she’s would internally inquire about where this would be available and get back to me soon.

Congratulations are in order for Hunter Bishop. He just passed the 2 year anniversary since he started his blog. With the demise of Hawaiian Island Journal,blog’s like mine and his have become a valuable news resource. I wish Hunter continued good luck with his blog.

It appears the hammer finally fell at North Hawaii Community Hospital and Kona Community Hospital.I really hope these layoffs don’t significantly affect patient care at both of these hospitals. But my gut is telling me they will.

In regards to the southbound traffic congestion on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, I received some feedback from some of the engineers handling this project.

We recognize that at this phase of construction the Makala Boulevard intersection is the congestion point for inbound traffic. The shared southbound thru/right turn is one factor contributing to the congestion.

Another factor is the cycle time for the traffic signal. We will be re-striping the intersection to add an additional left turn lane (i.e. resulting in double left turn lanes) for the Makala Boulevard makai approach for vehicles turning left onto the highway and heading north. This change will reduce the cycle time of the traffic signal and allow for more through-moving vehicles to pass through the intersection.

Striping (arrows and 8″ left turn line) for double left turn lanes from Makala Blvd makai onto Q.K. Highway with additional left turn signal head, was completed at 11:30am by HDCC and Leileiwi Electric. CofH Traffic adjusting time to decrease Makala double left turn and increase Q.K. southbound traffic.

From another engineer handling this widening project

“Received call from Mike (CofH Trf) about 1:00pm that time adjustments completed and observing traffic flow. He called again, and we discussed installing additional R3-8 sign on mast arm. I checked with Ellison (HWY-HM) and he will check for mast arm sign to install.

The public traffic will use the new double left turn lanes, but it can be improved if QLT were to extend the existing left turn pocket more makai direction which is not in State Highway right-of-way.

I made another plan to shift/re-stripe a new temporary right turn lane from Q.K. to Makala (makai) direction, (to unload Q.K. southbound traffic) and gave it to HDCC (Tues, 7/15) to check if it will work with their construction work area/schedules. We should get an answer next week. “