STREETWISE

Ewa Beach residents
feeling neglected

A planned six-lane route to H-1 will
favor drivers from Kapolei instead

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Kapolei residents like a planned six-lane highway route linking the H-1 Freeway with Kapolei and other nearby tracts.

But many Ewa Beach residents would prefer that the $61 million road provide a more direct link between their area and the freeway.

"I know the (Ewa Beach) residents are upset because they wanted a more direct route to the freeway," said Kenneth Au, advance planning engineer with the state Highways Division. "They have a valid point. ... They won't be the prime beneficiaries for this new North-South Road. It's going to be for the developments that are coming up around Kapolei, because there's where the traffic is going to be."

The 2.2-mile proposed northern route from Ewa Beach, actually an extension of Kapolei Parkway in its southernmost stretch, turns west into Kapolei.

Some Ewa Beach residents say it's catering to new Kapolei residents and others nearby, and shortchanges longtime Ewa Beach people. They would prefer to have the route parallel to Fort Weaver Road and running more directly north and south from Papipi Road in Ewa Beach to H-1.

State engineers say new housing developments and a city golf course at Ewa Villages now block what would have been a more direct route from Ewa Beach. Also, the road cannot go through the old Ewa Sugar Mill district, as federally funded highways must steer clear of historical sites.

"It's causing a lot of controversy because part of the community wants to go the original route, but another part wants it to go the route it's going now," said Mary Ann Miyashiro, Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board chairwoman. "We wouldn't have had that problem if the state and the city had gone with the original plan (years ago)."

But with later community changes, she can see both sides of the argument now, though she has long favored the more direct route from Ewa Beach, she said.

The start of road construction awaits approval of a habitat conservation plan by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, necessary to keep an endangered Hawaiian plant -- the red ilima or the ko'oloa'ula -- clear of the road right-of-way.

"It will really handle all of the development that will eventually come up in the Ewa Plain," Au said.

As a third access to H-1, it will relieve heavy traffic on Fort Weaver and Fort Barrette roads.

The new road could eventually funnel 2,000 vehicles each weekday into H-1 morning traffic.

Roadwork Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU Ewa Beach Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street. Maili Ehu, Hakeakea and Waapuhi streets. Waianae Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street; and Kaukamana Street. NORTH OAHU Haleiwa Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park. Waialua Kaukonahua Road. CENTRAL OAHU Kunia Kunia and Fort Weaver roads near the Kunia Interchange; Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; the H-1 Freeway Ramps 5, 5A and 5B and other Kunia Interchange on ramps; and H-1, vicinity of Kunia IC. Wahiawa Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; Whitmore Avenue from Kamehameha Highway to Military Gate; and Mala and Ilima streets. Mililani 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. Aiea Heleconia Place. Waiawa Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road. Waimalu H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange; and Moanalua Road from Kaahumanu Street to Moanalua Loop. Waipio Farrington Highway, Leoole to Awanui streets; Paiwa to Leoku streets; Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access Road; and Pupupuhi Street to Waikele Road. HONOLULU Moanalua Moanalua Freeway Ramps; vicinity of Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani; and South and North Frontage roads. Kalihi Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; Likelike Highway at the bridge; and North King, Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Noe and Pahulu streets. Liliha Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard. Nuuanu Niolopua 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; Kimo Drive bridge; 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. Makiki Round Top and Tantalus drives. Moiliili Kuulei Street from Kahoaloha Lane to University Avenue; 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. Waialae Aha Nui Place. WINDWARD OAHU Hauula Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; and Waikulama Street. Kailua Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop from Ilimano to Ilimano streets; 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; Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway; Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to Kam IV Road; and Kula Kolea Street to Valley View Drive. EAST OAHU Kalani Valley Kalaniiki Street and Kalanikai Place. Hawaii Kai Kalanianaole Highway from Nawiliwili Street to Sandy Beach Park Entrance; and Hanauma Bay to Sandy Beach.