STREETWISE

By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
The Koolauloa Traffic Safety Coalition distributed reflective
stickers to young people. Kau'ilani Ostrem attaches a sticker to
a bike as students, from left, Christina Berry, Cara Sawai,
Molly Compoc, Azura Keahi and Ida Leonardi watch.

Schoolkids
to reflect smart
safety practices

Stickers will help bike riders
and pedestrians be more visible
to nighttime motorists

By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

Schoolchildren from Kaaawa to Sunset Beach will be setting a shining example for pedestrian safety as summer vacation gets under way.

The youths are being supplied with reflective stickers for their backpacks, bicycles, helmets and shoes to increase their visibility by motorists.

The Koolauloa Traffic Safety Coalition distributed the stickers to students from preschool through 7th grade.

"With graduation coming up, it's important that we stress safety," said Kau'ilani Ostrem, co-chairwoman of the coalition and a sophomore at Kahuku High and Intermediate School.

"We want to get the kids in elementary school learning about safety, so when they get older they're aware of it."

The pedestrian deaths of two area youths precipitated efforts by the grass-roots coalition to help protect children and the elderly, both high-risk groups, said Lisa DeLong, a coalition member and vice principal at Kahuku High. Some of the school's students have been killed in alcohol or speed-related accidents.

Later this month, the coalition will distribute reflective pockets to senior citizens. The pockets attach to shoelaces and store emergency phone numbers.

"Wearing reflectors allows someone to be seen from 500 feet away," DeLong said.

By comparison, at night under headlights, someone wearing white can be seen 150 feet away, while a person wearing dark colors is visible 55 to 80 feet away, she explained.

Funds for the reflectors came from a federal highways grant, and $7,000 from the state Department of Transportation.

The coalition was formed in mid-1997 in response to the high number of traffic fatalities along a 20-mile stretch of Kamehameha Highway that runs through the northeast Oahu district.

There were 48 traffic deaths there between April 1988 and February 1997. Since then the number of such fatalities has dropped dramatically.

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Road Work Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU EWA BEACH Farrington Highway, Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive; Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street. MAILI Ehu, Hakeakea and Waapuhi streets. WAIANAE Kaukamana Street to St. John's Road; Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street; and Farrington Highway at Maliona Street. NORTH OAHU HALEIWA Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park. CENTRAL OAHU KUNIA Kunia and Fort Weaver roads near the Kunia Interchange; Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; the H-1 freeway ramps 5, 5-A and 5-B and other Kunia Interchange on-ramps; and H-1, vicinity of Kunia Interchange. WAHIAWA Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; and Mala Street. MILILANI Kipapa Gulch toward Mililani and Ka Uka Boulevard to Lanikuhana Avenue; and Mililani Interchange. WAIPAHU Kahuamoku Place; Kipou Street from Hulahe to Honowai streets; Honowai Street from Kipou to Hoaeae streets; Hoaeae Street from Honowai Street to near the Hoaeae Pumping Station. WAIAWA Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; and Waiawa Interchange. WAIMALU H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange. WAIPIO Farrington Highway, vicinity of Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access Road; Awanui to Leoole streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets. HONOLULU MOANALUA Moanalua Freeway ramps; vicinity of Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani; South and North Frontage roads; and Moanalua Road intersection from Kaahumanu Street to Moanalua Loop. KALIHI Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; and Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Noe and Pahulu streets. LILIHA Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard. NUUANU Nioilupa Drive; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; Dowsett Avenue to Hinalo Place; Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to lookout; and Old Pali Road. KAKAAKO Keawe Street on Ala Moana, South and Queen streets, and Nimitz Highway and River Street to end at Hotel Street; and Coral Street from Ala Moana to Auahi Street. PAUOA Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end. MAKIKI Round Top and Tantalus drives; and Lewalani Drive from Clio Street to Wilder Avenue. MOILIILI University Avenue and South King Street intersection; and Kahoaloha Lane from Kuilei Lane to South King Street. PALOLO Keanu Street between 8th Avenue and Sierra Drive; and 9th and 10th avenues between Keanu Street and Waialae Avenue. PUNAHOU Spreckels Street. ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS St. Louis Drive between Bertram and Oswald streets. WAIALAE Kealaolu Avenue Road from Leahala to Waialae avenues. WAIKIKI Kalakaua Avenue; and Ohua to Kuhio avenues. WINDWARD OAHU HAUULA Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; and Waikulama Street. KAILUA Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop to Ilimano Street; Iliaina Street from Ililani Street to Iliwahi Loop and from Ilihau Street to end; Ilikaa Place; Kalaheo Avenue; and Kainui Drive. WAIMANALO Flamingo and Ahiki streets; Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets. KANEOHE Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place; and Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway. EAST OAHU None PARADE KAMEHAMEHA I PARADE 9:30 a.m. Saturday From King and Richards streets, along King Street, Punchbowl Street, Ala Moana, Kalakaua Avenue and Monsarrat Avenue to the Queen Kapiolani parking lot. The Waikiki Shell parking lot will be reserved for parade vehicles only, and traffic will be rerouted by police. The following areas will be closed from 7:30 a.m., and parking restrictions will be in effect: Richards Street between Hotel and Queen streets. King Street, three lanes between Bishop and Richards streets. Merchant Street between Alakea and Mililani streets. Bishop Street, three lanes between King and Queen streets.