STREETWISE

State studies adding
lanes, lights on tricky
Kamehameha Highway

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

A $500,000 state study aims to make Kamehameha Highway safer from Kahaluu to Waimea Bay.

The state highways division is looking at adding traffic lights and turning and passing lanes.

Although the study may take more than a year, some changes could take place soon, using money already allotted, said Pericles Manthos, state highway administrator. Major improvements could begin in 2001, with matching state and federal funds.

There are blind spots and sharp curves along the two-lane road. The Anemoku Street-Kamehameha juncture at Laie Shopping Center is where Elizabeth Barnhill, 48, was killed in a crosswalk. Community leaders have long sought a traffic light at that intersection.

Harry Brown of Kahuku, a Koolauloa Neighborhood Board member, is optimistic.

"We're headed in the right direction, and that's to have a team effort," he said. "We have to have people come aware of the problems that we're encountering out here."

Norman Kaluhiokalani, a Laie resident who also serves on the Koolauloa board, said, "It's not the road that makes the trouble; it's the drivers."

Brown cites the Koolauloa Traffic Safety Coalition as an example of teamwork, with people in Laie, Kahuku and Hauula working together.

"Community involvement is the key," he said. "We're hoping that this study will reflect all of the suggestions and comments that coalition members have made at different public meetings," said MaryAnne Long, a coalition coordinator.

Beware of road repairs

Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu:

LEEWARD OAHU

Kunia: Kunia Road near the Kunia Interchange from Kupuna Loop to Honowai Street; and the H-1 Freeway Ramp 5-B and 5-A.

Honokai Hale: Malahuna Place and Loop; and Paakai and Waiomea streets.

Nanakuli: Farrington Highway from Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive.

Maili: Ehu and Hakeakea streets.

Waianae: Kaukamana Street to St. John's Road; Farrington Highway at Maliona Street; and Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street.

Makaha: Maiuu and Mahinaau roads.

NORTH OAHU

Haleiwa: Kamehameha Highway at Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park.

CENTRAL OAHU

Wahiawa: Kaliko Drive from 1992 California Ave. to 101 Kaliko Drive.

Mililani: Mililani Interchange; Ka Uka Boulevard to Lanikuhana Avenue, near Kipapa Gulch; and Kamehameha Highway from Kipapa Gulch toward Mililani.

Waipahu: Kahuamoku Place; Farrington Highway from Leoole to Awanui streets, Leoku to Paiwa streets, and Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access; and Paiwa Street to Waipahu Depot Road.

Waiawa: Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; Waiawa Interchange; and Kamehameha Highway from Acacia Road to Honomanu Street.

Waimalu: H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange.

HONOLULU

Moanalua: Moanalua Freeway from Aiea Interchange to Moanalua Stream Bridge, from Puuloa Road to Red Hill, and from Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani.

Salt Lake: Salt Lake Boulevard.

Kalihi: Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to H-1; intersection of Makuahine and Kalihi streets from Likelike Highway exit to Makuahine Street; and School Street from Jikoen Mission to Kapalama Elementary.

Liliha: Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard.

Nuuanu: Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to the lookout; Dowsett Avenue to Pali Tunnel; Waokanaka Street to Nuuanu Pali Drive; Niolopua Drive; and Kimo Drive Bridge and Old Pali Road.

Pauoa: Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end.

Moiliili: University Avenue and South King Street intersection.

Manoa: University Avenue between Maile Way and Coyne Street and at East Manoa Road.

St. Louis Heights: St. Louis Drive between Bertram and Oswald streets.

Palolo: Keanu Street between 8th Avenue and Sierra Drive; and 9th and 10th avenues between Keanu Street and Waialae Avenue.

Kaimuki: Sierra Drive; and 5th Avenue between Harding and Waialae avenues.

Waikiki: Kalakaua Avenue; Ohua to Kuhio avenues; and Kaiulani Triangle Minipark at intersection of Kuhio and Kaiulani avenues.

WINDWARD OAHU

Kailua: Hamakua Drive near Hahani Street; and Ilimano Street between Ilihau and Ililani streets.

Waimanalo: Flamingo Street; Ahiki Street.

EAST OAHU

None.

TRAFFIC WATCHES

Chinatown Open House Night: On Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m., the following streets will be closed progressively for lion dances: River Street, Nimitz Highway, Nuuanu Avenue and Beretania Street. Street parking will also be prohibited in these areas from 4:30 p.m., and buses on Hotel and King streets that run through Chinatown will be detoured to Beretania and Kukui streets.