Residents decry
widening of H-1

A proposed sixth lane would
mean more noise and dust and nine
Waimalu homes would
be torn down

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Waimalu residents fear widening of the H-1 freeway will only bring more traffic to their neighborhood.

That's been the case every time lanes have been added during the past 40 years, said Jack Chalker, who lives at Moanalua Road and Moanalua Loop. "I say we don't need six lanes. We need another bypass," Chalker said.

Add to that more noise, more dust and nine homes lost for the expansion, and the Waimalu residents are not happy.

A proposed sixth lane for H-1 freeway Ewa-bound would be intended to remove a bottleneck at Waimalu.

Residents this week at Waimalu Elementary School talked about factors to be considered in an environmental assessment.

Construction costs are expected to be about $40 million in federal and state highway funds.

Mark Hulett, who lives just off Pono Street on Ponokaulike Street mauka of H-1, wants more offramps in Aiea. These would service thousands of homes and get substantial Ewa-bound traffic off H-1 before it gets to the Waimalu viaduct, he said.

Ron Lee, who said he lives in the shadow of the Waimalu Viaduct, wanted a tradeoff, such as sidewalks leading into Waimalu Gardens subdivision, for the inconvenience the project will bring.

"On the human level, give us back something for what you're taking away," he said. "We would like some serious consideration for environmental impact and acoustical (noise) mitigation."

Ron Tsuzuki, head of the planning branch, state Highways Division, said those issues will be considered in the environmental assessment.

Tsuzuki said a bypass would be very costly.

Greg Hiyakumoto, project manager for R.M. Towill, consultants to the state, explained the five existing Ewa-bound lanes of the Waimalu Viaduct are 11 feet each with an eight-foot shoulder.

The proposal is to expand farther Ewa the sixth Ewa-bound lane already in place in the two-mile stretch between Halawa and the Kaonohi Street Overpass over H-1, extending the new lane from Kaonohi to the Pearl City offramp, an added distance of about 1-1/2 miles.

Freeway widening would bring it up to Interstate standards; each of the six lanes would be 12 feet wide, the right shoulder also would be 12 feet, and the median shoulder on the left would be 10 feet, he said.

Project construction would go on during nonpeak traffic hours, Hiyakumoto said.

The state will work with residents whose homes are affected to assist them with relocation, hoping to give them as much lead time as possible, he said.

Noise barriers will be considered, and possible temporary detours may go in under the viaduct while work is under way, he added.

"If all goes as planned, the project should be completed by spring 2003," he said.

Beware of road repairs Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU Kunia: Kunia and Fort Weaver roads near the Kunia Interchange; Kupuna Loop to Honowai Street; and the H-1 Freeway Ramps 5, 5A and 5B and other Kunia Interchange on-ramps. Ewa Villages: Coral Road. Nanakuli: Farrington Highway from Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive. Maili: Ehu, Hakeakea, and Waapuhi 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 Mililani: Mililani Interchange. Waipahu: Kahuamoku Place; Farrington Highway from Leoole to Awanui streets, Awanui and Leoku to Paiwa streets, and Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access. Pearl City: Kaahumanu Street. Waiawa: Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; Waiawa Interchange; Kamehameha Highway from Acacia Road to Honomanu Street; Kipou Street from Hulahe to Honowai streets; Honowai Street from Kipou to Hoaeae streets; and Hoaeae Street from Honowai Street to near the Hoaeae Pumping Station. Waimalu: H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange. HONOLULU Moanalua: Moanalua Freeway from Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani. Salt Lake: Salt Lake Boulevard. Kalihi: Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to H-1; School Street from Jikoen Mission to Kapalama Elementary; Kapalama Elementary to Makuahine Street; Gulick Avenue; and Makuahine and School streets. 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; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; and Kimo Drive Bridge and Old Pali Road. Kakaako: Keawe Street on Ala Moana; South and Queen streets; Nimitz Highway; and River Street at end of Hotel Street. Pauoa: Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end. Makiki: Lewalani Drive from Clio Street to Wilder Avenue. 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. Waialae: Kealaolu Avenue Road from Leahala to Waialae avenues. Waikiki: Kalakaua Avenue; Ohua to Kuhio avenues; and Kaiulani Triangle Minipark at intersection of Kuhio and Kaiulani avenues. WINDWARD OAHU Kaneohe: Area near 44-390 Kaneohe Bay Drive. Kailua: Hamakua Drive near Hahani Street; and Ilimano Street between Ilihau and Ililani streets. Waimanalo: Flamingo and Ahiki streets. EAST OAHU Hawaii Kai: Kalanianaole Highway from Hanauma Bay to Sandy Beach; and Lunalilo Home Road to Kealahou Street.