Electronic Signage Approved!

We are on a roll here!

Police Chief Kubojiri has confirmed that the Hawaii County Police Department will put up occasional flashing signage on Waikoloa Road. In fact, friends of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales have reported seeing the sign already. Here is an earlier post on this subject.

The HPD have been responsive and very professional in meeting requests from South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee for increased reporting on donkey-on-the-road calls and electronic signage. Meanwhile, the Public Works folks will have the test of Streiter lites set up next month. Mahalo County of Hawaii.

SKTSC Requests Electronic Signage from HPD

At the last meeting of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee (SKTSC), it was approved to request the Hawaii Police Department HPD to investigate use of occasional electronic signage along Waikoloa Road to remind us of possible donkey presence. (Recall the Public Works Department determined they didn't have enough signs.) SKTSC President Mike Price has sent the letter.

SKTSC is also asking for more detailed reporting of donkey-related traffic incidents, to develop a baseline over the long term to see if various measures are effective.

Update on Electronic Signage and Strieter Lites

Public Works, Traffic Division has passed on using electronic signage, as they don't have enough of them. They've referred the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee (SKTSC) to the Hawaii Police Department (HPD).

Public Works did look at the 20 Strieter Lites they ordered for testing. They don't look too promising, but we may find a place along the road to test them.

Tuesday, September 14th, SKTSC will be discussing a request to the HPD for signage.

On a new topic, SKTSC will also discuss a request for more detailed monthly reporting on donkey related accidents and calls for service (reports of donkeys on the road.) This will help develop a baseline for donkeys on the road.

Update 11/15/2010: They've been tested in the County yard and now places for installation have been marked out near the 7 MM.

County Considering "Strieter-Lites" for Waikoloa Road

A civil engineer from the County Traffic Division came out and, with MWN memebers, took a look at an area around the S curve that might serve as a test for something called Strieter-Lites. For now they have ordered just a few to "take a look at" and then determine if a test will be set up. These devices go along the roadside and are triggered by headlights to emit a pattern of red light that appears to be moving, that only the animals will see, not drivers. Whether or not it will work for donkeys is unknown. In some places, it has worked for moose, elk, and deer. Donkeys do become used to lighting as a deterrent, so we will have to see. Also, note, they only will work at night, dawn, and dusk when people hopefully have their headlights on. And if a donkey is already on the road...

I am encouraged by this interest in something new by the County.

Meanwhile, I am going to continue to ask about the electronic warning signs for us humans. So far all I've heard is unofficial and along the lines of "they are all broken."

Site Meeting with County Traffic Department

We have a meeting set up with the County for next week to inspect the area along the S curve. They are helping us look for ways to keep donkeys off the road...and make drivers more aware of donkeys.

Awaiting Word from the County Public Works re: Electronic Signage

We've been following up on the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee request to Director Warren Lee to investigate the occasional use of electronic signage to alert drivers of possible donkeys on the road. See the May 12th post for the SKTSC letter to the County.

Working With County of Hawaii

The South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee has asked Public Works to develop a procedure whereby the County's flashing traffic warning signs could be occasionally placed along Waikoloa Road, especially at the S curve above the Village, as a reminder to ourselves that there may be donkeys ahead. After a while, the posted signage becomes "invisible" to those of us who regularly traverse that section of road. I hope to have an update on the status of this by next month.