STREETWISE

Pedestrian safety a
major concern as schools
are built in Kapolei

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

With more students expected to be crossing Kapolei streets in coming years, residents are looking for ways to increase pedestrian safety.

Kapolei Middle School, at Kamaaha Avenue and Kapolei Parkway, will open in August with more than 900 students.

Kapolei High School, at Fort Barrette Road and Kapolei Parkway, could open in fall 2000 if funding comes through.

Nearby Kapolei Elementary School will have more than 900 students this fall, and about half its students cross Kamaaha Avenue twice daily.

There are no traffic controls in place on the four-lane, 3/4-mile roadway.

Mary Hunter, a crossing guard at Kamaaha and Kuloa avenues, sees nothing but increased danger with more students coming in and says speeding motorists are scary.

During a recent meeting, residents discussed possible solutions, including:

Opening Kapolei Parkway and providing access for vehicle and pedestrian traffic to Kapolei Middle School.

Putting adequate traffic controls on Kamaaha Avenue to accommodate more vehicle and pedestrian traffic going to the middle school.

Having partial opening or selective lane opening of Kapolei Parkway, especially during high school construction.

Some residents called for pedestrian overpasses and teaching both children and adults traffic safety.

State Sen. Brian Kanno said a measure before the Legislature calls for traffic lights and flashing safety lights at the corner of Kuloa and Kamaaha and at Kumuiki Street and Kamaaha.

With the middle school opening this fall, 14 buses each are expected to carry 50 students who live more than a mile from the school, said George Okano, chief of the student transportation branch of the Department of Accounting and General Services. Buses may be added as needed, he said.

"We, too, have a concern over mixed use of the parkway," Okano said. Times of school starting and getting out will be critical, he said.

Tom Otake of the Housing and Community Development Corp. said the new high school won't be the only thing under construction in the area. More housing and a sports complex are planned, and a bridge may be completed by next February or March, he said.

More people using the parkway may bring vandalism, illegal dumping, drag racing, loitering and theft of construction materials, he said.

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, 5-A and 5-B 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 Mamolani, Uiwi and Kou places; Kuahelani Street; Kailiula Place and Way, and Makapipipi Street and Place. Also, the 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; Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway; 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; Niolopua Drive; 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; and East Manoa Road to Lowrey Avenue. 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.