Streetwise

By Gary Kubota, Star-Bulletin
Frank Redo and others are happy that the work is ahead of schedule.

---

Hana road repair
going well

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Truck driver Frank Redo says he's happy that work on Hana Highway is ahead of schedule and is looking forward to the end of September when construction is expected to be finished.

Redo, who brings perishable goods such as ice cream and milk to Hana, says construction crews have been letting him pass even during construction hours, but he wants to get back to driving without worrying about traffic stops and starts and slowdowns.

"I just want to come home," said Redo, who lives in Hana and drives to Kahului and back.

State highways official Robert Siarot said dry weather and the lack of hillside boulders have helped builders work more quickly to cut the new road.

The road work, which began in May, was initially scheduled to continue through March 2000. The state wants to realign a section that is slipping seaward. Hana Highway is the only major artery between Kahului and Hana.

Traffic has been closed from 6 to 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the construction at Honomanu, about a mile and a half southeast of Kaumahina State Park.

Siarot said the contractor Goodfellow Bros. has finished the hard part of the work, which involved removing an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 cubic yards of a hillside.

The work is expected to cost about $2.1 million.

Some residents say they hope to see a return in the number of visitors to Hana. Cheryl Mendonca, manager of Hana Treasures gift shop, said the road closure has reduced business by about 10 percent.

Mendonca said she hopes once the road work is completed, the hotels and car rental companies will publicize the reopening of Hana Highway.

Mendonca said she's surprised the contractor finished the work so quickly.

"They really outdid themselves," she said.

---

Roadwork

Planned this week throughout Oahu:

LEEWARD OAHU

Ewa Beach

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 streets; 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; Likelike Highway at the bridge; and North King, Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Noe and Pahulu streets.

Liliha

Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard.

Nuuanu

Niolopua 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 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.