STREETWISE

Kalihi Valley neighbor-
hoods may be linked
to bus by vans

Currently it's a long walk for residents
to reach the nearest bus stop, but
that could change

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

A half dozen small neighborhoods in Kalihi Valley that now lack bus service may be linked to routes by vans.

A pilot project could begin as early as this summer, said Jory Watland, executive director of Kokua Kalihi Valley, a nonprofit community services organization.

Done right, it could be very successful, he said. Both Paul Steffens, executive director of the city Public Transit Division, and Vicki Harris, executive director of Van Pool Hawaii, have shown interest in the idea.

"I think that it will be very popular," Watland said.

Watland told the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Wednesday that vans could take people living in isolated parts of Kalihi Valley to bus routes during morning and afternoon rush hours.

Neighborhood Board Chairwoman Maryrose McClelland later identified those Kalihi Valley spots as upper Nihi Valley, Kamanaiki Street, Valley View, Kula Kolea Drive, Wilson Tract and lower Kamehameha IV Road near St. John's Church.

How to collect the vans, who drives them and how it's all financed would have to be worked out, Watland said.

The city can request that the state Transportation Department provide the vehicles through its Van Pool Hawaii program, he said.

"The whole idea is that we're going to need to have vans that can pick people up near their homes and drop them off at the nearest bus stop," he said. "And we're thinking that there may be a way to do that with a single fare. So it would be an integrated system."

"The most encouraging thing to me," he added, "is that the city people currently are interested in trying this and I think they'd like to see Kalihi Valley as a pilot."

Van Pool Hawaii, a commuter service contracted by the state, works similar to a car pool. It provides passenger vans for groups to use in commuting. Drivers then take the vans home for personal use.

As of now, a minimum of four people -- a driver and three riders -- are needed to start a van pool. Riders each pay a monthly $50 fee and share fuel and parking costs; the drivers pay nothing.

Van Pool Hawaii covers all insurance and maintenance, including 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.

Road Work Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU Kunia Kunia and Fort Weaver roads near the Kunia Interchange; Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; and the H-1 Freeway Ramps 5, 5A and 5B and other Kunia Interchange on-ramps. Ewa Beach Farrington Highway, Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive. 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 Mililani Paionia, Hikianalia, Kauluikua, Keehuhiwa, Makaamoamoa, Waileia, Akia, Ialeleiaka, Lea, Mamolani, Uiwi, Manawahine and Naika places; Keaolani and Kiilani streets; Mililani Interchange; Kamehameha Highway from Kipapa Gulch toward Mililani; and Ka Uka Boulevard to Lanikuhana Avenue. 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; and Farrington Highway from Leoole to Awanui streets, Awanui and Leoku to Paiwa streets, and Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access Road. Waiawa Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; and Waiawa Interchange. Waimalu H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange. HONOLULU Salt Lake Salt Lake Boulevard from Luapele to Bougainville drives. Moanalua Moanalua Freeway Ramps; vicinity of Ala Kapuna to vicinity of Ala Napunani; and South and North Frontage roads. Kalihi Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to H-1; Valley View Drive Intersection; Kalihi Street from Likelike Highway to Makuakane Street; Gulick Avenue; and Makuahine and Kalihi 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, and Nimitz Highway; and River Street to end at 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; and Ohua to Kuhio avenues. WINDWARD OAHU Kailua Ilimano Street between Ilihau and Ililani streets. Waimanalo Flamingo and Ahiki streets. EAST OAHU None