Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com. By CHELSEA JENSEN ADVERTISING Stephens Media Hawaii County’s ability to alleviate traffic backups using camera monitoring systems was not used during Tuesday afternoon’s brush fire that closed one of Kailua-Kona’s main thoroughfares. Queen Kaahumanu Highway,
By CHELSEA JENSEN
Stephens Media
Hawaii County’s ability to alleviate traffic backups using camera monitoring systems was not used during Tuesday afternoon’s brush fire that closed one of Kailua-Kona’s main thoroughfares.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway, between Henry and Lako streets, and Hualalai Road were closed shortly after the fire was reported around 2 p.m. in the vicinity of Nani Kailua Drive. The roads remained closed through 8 p.m. causing traffic congestion throughout Kailua-Kona as drivers tried to get home.
The Hawaii County Department of Public Works Traffic Division did not use the cameras to make real-time changes to relieve traffic congestion following the closure because during the emergency only police and fire had the authority to make that decision, said Department of Public Works spokeswoman Noelani Whittington, citing Traffic Division staff. The cameras were being watched, however.
The division could have made changes had police or fire sought their assistance, she said. However, the Hawaii Fire Department requested only the help of the department’s Highways Division, she said.
“We assist in the case of an emergency and in this case where fire asked for help we provided it,” she said.
Hawaii Police Department Kona Patrol Capt. Richard Sherlock said the department is assessing the incident and will look for areas where improvements can be made.
He noted police received a lot of calls — both positive and negative — about the incident.
He acknowledged the camera system was not used, but also noted even if lights were altered, people often run them.
On-duty officers, including those outside the patrol division, quickly responded to direct traffic and provide drivers with some information on the situation, he said.
“The emergency responders did a great job in terms of no one getting hurt or property being damaged,” Sherlock said. “I know people went through hell sitting in traffic, but safety is our first priority.”
He said the department would look into using the camera system for future emergencies.
“This fire grew so much within 15 minutes. It was fast, and our main objective at that point was evacuating the (Hualalai) Elderly housing and neighboring residences,” he said. “We are (currently) doing a debriefing and are seeing where there is room for improvement because there always is.”
Currently, according to Traffic Division Head Ron Thiel, only the division can access the cameras. However, Whittington indicated the department is in talks with Civil Defense to expand access.
Civil Defense Acting Administrator John Drummond said the agency is working with the Traffic Division to assign one of the division’s staff to work out of the Emergency Operations Center to help with traffic congestion. No agreement has been reached, he said.
“(An agreement) will come together pretty quickly because as the technology is improving and different departments are improving, the county is finding ways to tie them together,” he said. “We will always work to improve.”
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
