Streetwise

Kailua’s Oneawa Street
no longer sleepy access
to Coconut Grove

Speeding vehicles, loud car stereos,
congestion has residents worried

By Alisa LaVelle
Star-Bulletin

Oneawa Street in Kailua has gone from residential street to busy thoroughfare.

"We are now faced with a street that is being called upon to do a traffic role beyond its capacity," said City Councilman John Henry Felix.

Felix has scheduled a meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Kainalu Elementary School to discuss traffic problems. The meeting will give the community information on traffic-control measures and sewer projects, possible short-, medium- and long-range goals for the street, and a chance to raise questions, Felix said.

"We want to hear what the community really wants," said city Transportation Director Cheryl Soon.

Soon said the city would respond by allotting funds in next year's budget for a project if the community could reach consensus on what needs to be done.

She and Randall Fujiki, city design and construction director, will attend the meeting. Fujiki will talk and answer questions about upcoming sewer projects, one of which will last three years.

Fifty-five years ago, Oneawa Street handled only Coconut Grove residential traffic.

Then, a bridge across the Kawainui Channel brought in motorists from Kaneohe, others seeking less-congested routes to and from Lanikai and still others from all over Kailua.

As Kailua grew, new residents and the construction of elementary schools and Kalaheo High School meant more traffic.

The latest increase came with the completion of H-3 in December 1997, said Jim Sweedberg, who lives on Oneawa Street.

He said being on Oneawa during peak traffic hours now is like being on the freeway.

The rest of the time, motorists speed in the 25-mph zone and city buses back up traffic, Sweedberg said.

And there are no sidewalks, he said.

"We take care of three invalids (in wheelchairs) and need to put them in the car to go anywhere," he said. "We are captives in our own house."

Coconut Grove Association President Libby Tomar said another frustration with the busy street is the noise from so many cars, the industrial trucks and loud car stereo systems.

"It's not a Coconut Grove problem; it's a Kailua problem because the entire community uses it," Tomar said.

Neighborhood board member Pohai Ryan said a big concern is pedestrian safety.

Ryan said she saw a boy get hit crossing Oneawa Street and worries about her children's safety.

"I tell my 12-year-old to be careful crossing the street with his bike because it's so busy," Ryan said.

Pohai was told by a real estate agent that the street problems lowered her property value and ability to sell because the only access to the property is Oneawa Street.

Some solutions residents suggested at the March 3 traffic meeting were rerouting Kalaheo High School traffic, using a dump road as a thoroughfare, synchronizing lights along Oneawa, and making Kihapai and Oneawa streets one-way.

Terry Carroll, Kailua Neighborhood Board member, said residents need to consider the possible effect on cross streets.

A basic rule of traffic design is to make it a solution for everyone, not just divert it, Carroll said.

"Oneawa is getting worse and worse and worse," Carroll said. "It's so important for the various segments of the community to come together and give an amicable solution."

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Roadwork this week

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

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 street; 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; 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; 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.

Pauoa

Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end.

Makiki

Round Top and Tantalus drives; and Lewalani Drive from Clio Street to Wilder Avenue.

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; and Kealaolu Avenue Road from Leahala to Waialae 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 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; and Kahekili Highway at Likelike Highway.

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.