STREETWISE

Traffic to new theme park
moves smoothly
in Kapolei

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Maeda Timson was pleased Friday, when opening-day traffic arriving at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei flowed smoothly without backup on the H-1 freeway or Farrington Highway.

Area residents were concerned traffic to the huge theme park would greatly affect local streets, especially Farrington Highway and Kamokila Boulevard, the main roads through downtown Kapolei.

"Our concern was, it might be backing up in and throughout the Kapolei Shopping Center," said Timson, chairwoman of the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board.

Timson said the community received assurances from park officials the Campbell Industrial Park offramp (Exit 1) of the H-1 freeway would be promoted as the primary access to the park, and not the Makakilo offramp (Exit 2).

That plan seems to have worked, she said.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Timson said Friday. "The whole parking lot is filled at this point of the day, and it (local traffic) doesn't seem affected by it."

Jerry Pupillo, sales director at Hawaiian Waters, said Friday that first-day traffic problems were nonexistent. Along with 700 parking stalls and another 40 slots for tour buses, there is ample overflow parking on the north and south sides of the park, he said.

"We have an additional five acres of property that we could always use for overflow parking," Pupillo said.

Pupillo said several parking lot attendants, who double as security guards, are assigned to direct traffic in and out of the park entrance, which is off Farrington Highway. The company has worked hard with the community on traffic concerns, and it showed when vehicles flowed gradually into the park, Pupillo said.

"All I see is a lot of wet and smiling people walking around," he said.

State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said officials don't anticipate any backups onto H-1 because people won't arrive at the park all at once.

Still, she reminded motorists there is no parking on Farrington Highway.

Meanwhile, state and community officials are working with organizers of November's Hawaiian Super Prix auto race to ensure the Barbers Point event does not cause traffic tie-ups in Kapolei. Race officials expect up to 100,000 spectators for the three-day event.

Preliminary plans are to use the three roadways to Barbers Point -- in Ewa, off Fort Barrette Road and within Campbell Industrial Park -- to accommodate traffic for the auto race. The military base reverts to state control in July.

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; Kuahelani and Lanikuhana streets 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; Kimo Drive Bridge; 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 Drive; and 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 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