INFO - Traffic Impact Analysis Report

Traffic Impact Analysis Report.  Why is a T.I.A.R. so critical & why must we have one?

There is an important difference between a "Traffic Study"(Target’s plan) and a "Traffic Impact Analysis Report"(TIAR).  A TIAR must address:
*current traffic conditions;
*projected traffic conditions w/out the project (e.g. would have to include Whole Foods impact); and

*projected traffic conditions with the project

Obviously, the "projected traffic conditions" rely on assumptions.  This is what we, as a community, need to see!

What do they foresee as the major access route?
e.g Pali Hwy - Hamakua - Hahani, or Kalanianaole Hwy - Keolu - Hamakua) --  How many cars do they anticipate moving through the parking lot each day? What times of day?  Do they assume some percentage of customers will arrive by foot? What is the projected increase of traffic from the Whole Foods project? 

Only a "TIAR" would include this information; a 'traffic study' is a basic report based simply on current conditions. As a community, we must insist on a TIAR!

TARGET'S PLAN & T.I.A.R.

We understand Target plans a 130,000 square foot store and that currently despite the very significant size of the contemplated store, there has been no request from the City for a Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR).

Our group has taken steps to count the number of stalls at the current Don Quijote site and based on Target's stated projection of a 20% increase in traffic to the area, if Target meets or exceeds its projections the Target store site would potentially be receiving 3000 cars per day. (take a breath and imagine that!?)

As we all know, the area of Hekili, Hahani, Hamakua and Kailua Road area near the Don Quijote site and the Kailua Town Center is already very congested making it difficult for pedestrians to traverse these streets safely and making it difficult for cars to enter and exit all the streets and parking lots in this area.

The already less than ideal traffic situation in the area coupled with several factors we feel the community should be aware of, makes it abundantly clear that Target should not be permitted to enter our Kailua community without first providing sufficient information to the community and its concerned citizens informing us as to how much of an impact Target's entry into Kailua town will have on our community from a traffic standpoint.

Accordingly, we feel it is incumbent upon us to take the steps necessary to bring to light the lack of information being proferred by Target.

And we feel it is incumbent upon us to encourage the proper entities to request from Target a TIAR.  These entities include the City and County of Honolulu since it will maintain the roads in the area and will issue the building permits for any planned construction, Kaneohe Ranch because it has stated its concern for all of its tenants (presumably not just prospective tenants such as Target), the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle (LKOC) which has worked on behalf of the well-being of the Lani-Kailua community, and our Kailua Neighborhood Board which we know is concerned as they continue their efforts to obtain information and dialogue with Target in such a way that brings to light a true understanding of the impact a store of the scale planned by Target would have on our community.

As a community, we must be diligent and persistent in our quest to insure that Target does not enter our community without the proper analysis being conducted, especially in the area of traffic. A 'Traffic Impact Analysis Report' (TIAR) must be provided to our Kailua community. Because WE, the 'community', can anticipate major traffic issues with the arrival of a big box store like Target, we must hold responsible all entities involved.

Every letter, every phone inquiry makes a difference! Please call the following C&C Traffic divisions to express your concerns & request a Traffic Impact Analysis Report (TIAR) for the Target project in Kailua town. (as ‘public’ input counts, we will track-- please send us a quick email after you've placed your request to C&C, mahalo)

C&C DPP Director** - #768-8000

C&C Traffic Review Branch - #768-8077

C&C Traffic Engineering Division - #768-8321