STREETWISE

City preps Chinatown for
livelier, lighter nights

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

Bright lights may soon illuminate the dark alleys, and big city dining and entertainment may soon replace the honky-tonks of Hotel Street and Chinatown.

The city last week began installing a new, brighter street lighting system as part of an effort to turn Chinatown into a safer place to live, work and play.

"It is changing. The whole nature of Chinatown is different than it used to be," said Mayor Jeremy Harris.

Harris believes the opening of the Hawaii Theatre and new restaurants and bars, with the construction of new housing, has given the area "critical mass" to turn into a place people go at night rather than avoid.

"I think it (Chinatown) is going to be the place to be and the place to go in the next several years," Harris said.

To encourage the development of Chinatown as a nighttime entertainment center, the city has pushed for more police presence, video surveillance, bike patrols and wider and cleaner sidewalks.

The $750,000 street lighting project is part of that effort.

"You keep it bright and the unsavory characters would stay away from areas because they are more apt to be seen by the general public," said Honolulu police Maj. Henry Lau. "It would make me feel safer, and I'm a police officer."

The project should be completed by November. New poles and fixtures are being installed on Nuuanu Avenue and Smith Street between Beretania Street and Nimitz Highway, Maunakea Street between Hotel and King streets, and Kekaulike Street between King Street and Nimitz Highway.

For the second phase of the project, Harris has requested $80,000 to design improved lighting on Pauahi Street, River Street and other areas of Maunakea Street. Estimated construction costs are $3 million, which includes moving utility lines underground.

In July, Harris wants to close Maunakea Street on Saturday nights to create a nighttime street market with entertainment, where residents and tourists can purchase arts and crafts.

"We've got a lot of people now who call Chinatown home," Harris said. "We've got shops going in, restaurants going in and nighttime activities to make it fun for people to be there."

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, 5A and 5B and other Kunia Interchange on-ramps; and H-1, in the vicinity of the Kunia Interchange. MILILANI Kipapa Gulch toward Mililani and Ka Uka Boulevard to Lanikuhana Avenue; Kuahelani and Lanikuhana streets and the Mililani Interchange. WAIPAHU Kahuamoku Place; Kipou Street from Hulahe to Honowai street; 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, in the vicinity of Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access Road; Awanui to Leoole streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets. HONOLULU MOANALUA Moanalua Freeway ramps; the 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 Wai-akamilo Road and North King Street; Likelike Highway in- and outbound left lanes, Valley View Drive Intersection; and Valley View Drive to H-1. 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; Kimo Drive Bridge; Pali Highway from Country Club Road to tunnel entrance, including both roads to the 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. PAUOA Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end. MAKIKI Lewalani Drive from Clio Street to Wilder Avenue. MANOA East Manoa Road to Lowrey 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 Wai-alae 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 from 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. KANEOHE Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place; and Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway. EAST OAHU NONE