With raising interest I follow the discussion about traffic problems in paradise. In April last year, I was one of the lucky ones who were allowed to visit your island for a few days. These days changed my life, but
With raising interest I follow the discussion about traffic problems in paradise. In April last year, I was one of the lucky ones who were allowed to visit your island for a few days. These days changed my life, but this is another story.
In this couple of days I couldn’t see serious problems with traffic. Maybe my eyes were too busy with collecting impressions of a place I never imagined so precious and lovely. Or it is a question of defining the word “problem.”
But if people of Kauai see a problem, it must be there. The last letter about this theme (from Krisztina Samu) inspired me to tell you about one more solution from another region.
In some smaller villages in our region we have so called “pick-me-up-benches.” From these marked benches beside the road registered drivers can pick up willing passengers. The registration can be shown with a sticker on the windshield, so the passenger can make sure to ride with a trustworthy driver (maybe with occupant insurance). On this way, people can help each other to reduce traffic through increasing utilization of the cars.
Of course, this will not permanently solve every problem. Instead of establishing a bigger public transportation system perhaps your government should develop a long-term plan for maintaining your roads. This plan should include an analysis of requirements for different parts of the island, particularly the potential development of population, demographic changes, the actual and future traffic density, reasons for high traffic density and the influence of tourism.
If you find a way to identify the reasons for your problems, I am sure you will be able to find a handful of different effective solutions. In my opinion, a not self-cost covering public bus system settled on worn roads is not such a solution, and of course more concrete in the landscape will not fix any problem. These two are only a loan and the next generation has to pay for.
One last thought. Compare the sum of miles they are driven by cars of residents and rented cars. If you come to the conclusion that tourists are part of the problem, do not hesitate to make them part of the solution. As far as I’m concerned, I would pay for every single mile I drove in paradise.
Please, don’t misunderstand me. I don’t like to interfere in your affairs. I only like to express my apprehension about losing something very, very special. You and your island are absolutely unique. Don’t ruin your paradise or the aloha feeling. In doubt, keep the things as they are. If someone is not happy with Kauai, we can change places.
Greetings from Europe and sorry for my interference.
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Markus Dobin is from Europe and a visitor to Kauai.
