NAWILIWILI — The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution to modify parking on a small portion of Po‘ipu Road. But the decision, which changes 600 feet of parking area, could have a large impact on public safety in the area.
“We’ve had many near-accidents; we have not had one yet. Mahalo ke Akua,” said Kaua‘i resident Stella Burgess, knocking on wood.
The resolution makes it illegal to park 150 feet immediately before and after the main and employee parking entrances of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort.
Burgess, who works as a director of Hawaiian culture at the South Shore resort, told council members that when improvements were made on the sidewalk to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a stop sign was moved four feet back from where it was originally placed.
The change lessened the sight of Po‘ipu Road from exiting drivers, Burgess said.
And when cars park on Po‘ipu Road near the entrances, exiting drivers completely lose sight of the road.
“It’s a hazard at this time,” Burgess said. “This is the reason we are asking for no parking.”
The issue became a great concern when employees said they would drive almost to the middle line and still could not see oncoming cars, she added.
The resolution is expected to take effect upon the posting of appropriate signs and markings.
The new change affects only the parking stalls on the side of the resort, and immediately adjacent to both entrances mentioned.
A third entrance, by Shipwreck’s Beach, doesn’t pose a hazard, according to Burgess.
The county engineer is responsible for posting the signs indicating “no-parking at anytime — from here to corner” in the areas established by the resolution.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauai
pubco.com.
