STREETWISE

On your mark,
get set, ‘Beat the
School Jam’

Traffic experts are warning
isle drivers to be ready for school-
related congestion

By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

It may be a good day to jump into a pool -- a car pool, Vanpool or SchoolPool, that is.

Next Monday, an estimated 105,000 students will be hitting the road, as the University of Hawaii, community colleges, public schools and several private schools all open their doors after the summer break.

And by the end of next week, more private school openings will bring the number of returning students up to 150,000, according to state transportation officials.

The last time there was such a convergence was in 1986, and that resulted in the worst traffic day in Oahu's history, they said.

"It didn't really clear up until about 10 a.m.," state Transportation Department spokeswoman Marilyn Kali recalled.

Gridlock on the freeways and main streets kept drivers trapped in their neighborhoods, and some couldn't even get out of their driveways, she said.

That prompted the "Beat the School Jam" campaign the next year, to prevent a recurrence of the severe traffic congestion. The now annual campaign encourages education and preparation to help motorists adjust to the heavier traffic.

"We hope people will plan their trips properly so we won't have these massive jams," said state Transportation Director Kazu Hayashida.

Proper planning means taking the time needed for last year's fall commute and adding an extra 15 to 30 minutes, Kali said.

The city and state this year also are introducing new ways to make shared transportation easier.

The state Rideshare Office is offering SchoolPool, a carpool program that matches students and parents within a 1.5-mile radius.

TheBus, meanwhile, will be offering free rides from Aug. 23 to Aug. 28 to kick off the expansion of CityExpress! service to Pearlridge.

The bus will go from Pearlridge to Kalihi, then head downtown and along Kapiolani Boulevard until it reaches the UH. The estimated travel time from Pearlridge to the university is 56 minutes, compared to the 90 minutes a bus usually takes, said Ken Stanley, vice president of Operational Planning and Marketing for TheBus.

City Transportation Services Director Cheryl Soon recommended a combination of biking and busing. Every city bus can accommodate two bicycles, so commuters can take a bus from outlying areas and bike once they get into town, she said.

Those intent on driving should be especially careful when traveling through school zones, where police will be concentrating their efforts for the first few weeks, said police Sgt. William Luat. Common violations are speeding and passing school buses that are boarding or unboarding students.

Luat said drivers should yield to the junior police officers, who are sponsored by the Honolulu Police Department. The JPOs often stop cars to help fellow students cross the streets near their campuses.

"Motorists could get a ticket for running that stop sign," warned Luat, dubbed "King of the JPOs."

Drivers are advised to be patient and allow extra time so that they won't be tempted to switch lanes to get to reach their destinations on time. Switching lanes increases the possibility of traffic stopping fender-benders, Kali said.

"If you know traffic is going to be bad and you allow extra time, then you won't have to try to do things that will get you there faster," she said. "It's not going to work, but you're going to try them anyway."

Transit options just a phone call away TheBus: For information about city bus routes and schedules, call 848-5555. For information about BONUS! (TheBus is ON US), an employer/employee transit subsidy program, call 848-4501. Vanpool: Vanpool provides a registered and insured van to a driver and a minimum of three passengers. The fee is $50 a month per seat, plus a share of fuel and parking. For information about becoming a driver or passenger, call 596-VANS (8267). Rideshare: For commuting options to work or school, call 587-7433. Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association (LOTMA): For informa-tion about commuting from Leeward and Central Oahu, call 677-RIDE (7433). Private school and commuter bus service: Call Roberts Hawaii at 834-4886 and LOTMA at 677-RIDE (7433) for route and schedule information.

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

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.

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

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.

Makiki

Round Top and Tantalus drives.

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.

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.