NAWILIWILI — Each U.S. president since Richard Nixon in the 1960s has talked extensively about reducing or eliminating foreign-oil dependency. Some even set deadlines that have long passed and been forgotten by voters. The latest one to preach weaning from
NAWILIWILI — Each U.S. president since Richard Nixon in the 1960s has talked extensively about reducing or eliminating foreign-oil dependency. Some even set deadlines that have long passed and been forgotten by voters.
The latest one to preach weaning from foreign oil is President Barack Obama, who has pushed for a moratorium on offshore oil drilling after the recent major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the midst of oil disasters and wars, a simple idea could play a major role in the solution: Use less oil. But how can less oil be used in the U.S., a country that in 2008 consumed 23 percent of the world’s petroleum, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration?
The answer to such a specific question has many variations. Local governments, especially here in Hawai‘i, have promised or implemented measures such as wind farms, geothermal plants, biodiesel facilities and even nuclear power, among others.
A simple solution that smaller communities across the U.S., including Kaua‘i, are looking at, is something that the rest of the world has been doing for decades: Drive less, walk more.
The Kaua‘i County Council passed a resolution recently establishing a Complete Streets policy for the county.
The county Planning Department did a presentation to council members explaining that Resolution 2010-48 will provide equal consideration of all transportation modes in roadway projects, which besides vehicles includes bicycles, buses and walking.
By enhancing choices of transportation, the county will also provide more access for certain groups such as youth, elderly and disabled, the department said. This would bring environmental, health and public-safety benefits, department presenters said.
Act 54, passed by the 2009 state Legislature, reads in part the state Department of Transportation and the counties “shall adopt a complete streets policy that seeks to reasonably accommodate convenient access and mobility to all users of the public highways … including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists and persons of all ages and abilities.”
The next step will be for the county Department of Public Works and Planning Department to review the statewide Complete Streets task force report.
The department then will identify possible changes to zoning and subdivision ordinances, plus include Complete Streets principles in county General Plan updates.
The DPW will identify and adopt needed changes to roadway standards.
Planner Marie Williams said the resolution is an important first step toward implementing Complete Streets standards, and is consistent with the state general plan policy and vision.
The resolution is a starting point for policy development, setting direction for planning efforts and ordinances, Williams said.
Last July the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded the department the 2010 Outstanding Planning Award for its Lihu‘e Town Core Urban Design plan, a county press release states.
The plan establishes four areas in Lihu‘e, and introduces updated and improved design guidelines and development standards, such as provisions for mixed uses. It also focuses on turning Lihu‘e into a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly town, according to the press release.
Go to www.kauai.gov to view or download the entire plan or the resolution.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
