MARCH 1998 - Darrlyn Bunda is the executive director of LOTMA. She has lived in Mililani for 16 years. With the Bunda children now grown & out of the house, Darrlyn & her husband Ron moved to a new townhouse in the Mauka development. In addition to her duties at LOTMA, Bunda is active in the Mililani community & is currently a candidate in the March election to fill 3 vacancies on the MTA Board.

Q:Everyone knows that you’re associated with LOTMA, but some people may not know what LOTMA does.
A:The initials stand for Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association. We serve as a transportation resource center for the entire Central/West Oahu area. We match people who want to carpool or vanpool. We also promote The Bus as well as buspooling, which includes private school bus services & the deluxe Waipio/Mililani Commuter Express service.

Q:So how did LOTMA get its start?
A:The idea for an organization like ours was first discussed in the late 1980s. People then were already starting to talk about traffic problems that would occur in the high-growth areas of Central & West Oahu. Then in 1990, a group of 13 public & private sector landowners/developers got together & formally established LOTMA as a nonprofit entity. They correctly envisioned that a single entity, working on their behalf, could best promote the transportation goals that they were advocating.

Q:We read one of LOTMA’s publication, the one about creating more livable communities.
A:You’re referring to a 1996 publication entitled, Creating More Livable Communities - A Handbook of Land Use and Transportation Strategies. It’s something we put together with help from students of the University of Hawai`i's Department of Urban and Regional Planning. What we were aiming for was to create public awareness of the different ways that can make it easier for people to get around a community without having to depend on their cars.

Q:Well it sure raised our awareness about transportation strategies.
A:Thanks. We got strong backing from our board to publish that handbook, & the people at UH really provided wonderful help. Last year, the handbook received several awards from the Hawaii Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Q:Where can people get that handbook?
A:Copies are available at libraries throughout the state. People can also get a free copy by calling our office at 677-RIDE (7433).

Q:As LOTMA’s executive director, you must be very busy.
A:The job keeps me busy, but I love it. In addition to the usual administrative duties of overseeing LOTMA’s day-to-day operations, I meet regularly with various city, state, & private agencies on transportation and land use planning matters, bus services, HOV enforcement, traffic mitigation, & proposed legislation. I also write articles for neighborhood publications, and whenever I get the opportunity, I also speak to community organizations to help increase public awareness of commuting alternatives and transportation issues.

Q:You are super busy! Is there anything that Mililanians can do to help alleviate traffic congestion?
A:Yes. They can help by calling LOTMA at 677-RIDE (7433) and asking for computerized commuter matching assistance for carpools and vanpools, a free trial ride on the LOTMA-sponsored premium commuter express service, and/or route information for private school and City-run bus services.

Q:Has traffic been easing up?
A:No, I'm afraid not. And unfortunately, our highways are becoming increasingly over-burdened, which causes buses and vanpools to be caught in the congestion. What we need are additional non-highway alternatives that offer convenient and reliable travel so people have a choice of sitting in traffic or not.

Q:Aren’t there any good news to report?
A:There are some good news! If construction is completed on-time, morning commuters this fall will be able to use a "zipper" lane on the H-1 freeway, but it’ll only be for buses, vanpools, and carpools with three or more persons. But ultimately, all commuters will benefit. Also, the afternoon commute should ease somewhat as the new merge lane for cars exiting the H-3 freeway in the Ewa direction is completed.

Q:Are there any legislative proposals this session that may be of interest to Mililani residents?
A:There’s a bill that authorizes the city to conduct a three-year demonstration program to enforce speeding and red light violations using photo radar and photo red light technology. This might have a significant impact on roadway safety.

Q:Several months ago, there was talk of a private bus system for Mililani. Do you know if this will ever become a reality?
A:The planning has been ongoing for quite a while. We’ve been working with Castle & Cooke. The proposal at this point is for a circulator bus service to connect the makai and mauka areas of Mililani. The next step is to solicit proposals from private companies, & this will be accomplished shortly. Of course cost is always a significant element in any new bus service, but if all goes well, it may become a reality this summer.

Q:Do you ever have time for leisure activities?
A:My husband and I enjoy golf, usually about 3 times a month with several mixed couples groups. We also go to movies. And we closely follow UH sports, especially basketball & volleyball (men & women).