Church tells of traffic danger
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Members of a Liliha church are seeing red over the state's response to what they say is a dangerous traffic problem in their neighborhood.
"There already have been several accidents, and if something doesn't get done soon, somebody will be killed," said church member Natividad Lagaso.
He was one of the more than a dozen members and supporters of Aldersgate United Methodist Church who yesterday tried to present to state Transportation Director Rod Haraga a can of red paint and a brush, which they said should be used to paint the curb in front of the church red, the color that traditionally marks a no-parking zone.
Haraga was out of town; the paint, along with a list of the group's suggestions for traffic-safety improvements in the area, were accepted by an assistant at his offices.
Church members say they've been trying since June to get parking changes in front of their building at 1342 Liliha St., just around the corner from Vineyard Boulevard, an area they describe as "one of the busiest and blindest intersections in Honolulu."
The parked cars on Liliha Street block the view of vehicles exiting a church driveway, creating a situation that has resulted in increasing accidents, the group said.
The Transportation Department has previously rejected the group's request to eliminate six curbside parking spaces fronting the church, saying that an engineering study study of the area did not produce evidence of danger, DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa said.
Local merchants and the neighborhood board have also opposed the elimination of parking spaces in the congested neighborhood.
Church members yesterday were polite but firm, insisting that something has to be done.
"It's an area with an aging population and drivers who are always trying to speed through the yellow light," said Lagaso, a church member since 1962. "It's only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt."
In November, the church scaled back its demands, saying that it would be willing to accept enforcement of the no-parking restrictions within four feet of the driveway, the posting of warning signs noting the hard-to-see driveways and moving a speed-limit sign closer to the area.
"We still haven't heard anything back from the state," said The Rev. Consorcia Sanchez, the church's pastor.
DOT will look at the group's latest suggestions and see if the changes are warranted, Ishikawa said. He noted though that state law does not allow for parking citations based on red-painted curbing.
Group leaders, backed by the Faith Action for Community Equity group, said they considered taking the problem into their own hands by painting the curb red themselves.
"But that would be disrespectful," Lagaso said. "It's the state's responsibility and they should do it. We shouldn't have to risk our life just to get out of the parking lot."
Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5460.
