STREETWISE

Winning advice
for UH opener: Come
early, carpool,
keep cool

With 45,000 fans expected,
count on traffic jams and plenty of
parking tickets for scofflaws
near the stadium

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

With a crowd of 45,000 expected at Aloha Stadium Saturday for the University of Hawaii's football season opener against the University of Southern California, fans are advised to park with care.

Pearl City police Lt. Dennis Yuen said police will be following a get-tough policy on illegal parking this year.

"On all surrounding streets where people normally park illegally, we're going to issue citations (to vehicles)," Yuen warned.

"Whichever ones are hazardous to the motoring public or pedestrians will be towed," he said, noting as an example a car blocking a sidewalk.

Yuen had additional advice.

"Plan to take your time when you leave the stadium because, with the amount of cars there, it's going to take a little time to get out," he said.

"Keep cool. Don't engage in road rage or anything like that."

Getting to the stadium by the game's 6:30 p.m. start may be faster, with the H-3 Freeway open for its second full UH football season and a widened Salt Lake Boulevard to expedite traffic.

City traffic officials think the widening of Salt Lake Boulevard will bring about an improved flow of traffic to and from the stadium.

Ron Tsuzuki, head planning engineer for the state Highways Division, thinks the H-3 Freeway should also help.

"It has helped for Windward residents," he said. "They now have three options (the H-3, and Pali and Likelike highways) where before they only had two (Pali and Likelike)."

The H-3 is faster for Windward fans, Tsuzuki said.

But parking remains the problem.

There are a bit more than 8,000 parking spaces at the stadium, with gates opening at 4 p.m., said Events Manager Eugene Tokuhama, events manager.

"Come early and carpool," Tokuhama advised. "Ride the bus if you can."

The UH is trying to get more express buses on the stadium route for the game, he said.

Herbert Naone, a security officer at Aloha Stadium Authority, said special-duty police officers will be on hand. The average now is 30 officers inside and 15 outside, he said.

Additionally, there are about 16 contract security personnel at gates, Naone said.

"If ticket sales go up, we may increase the number," he said.

Streetwise Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU Ewa Beach Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street. Maili Waapuhi Street. Waianae Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street ; and Farrington Highway from Kaukamana Street to St. John's Road. NORTH OAHU Haleiwa Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Kamehameha Highway from 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 Interchange. 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 ; Moanalua Road from Punanani Channel to Pali Momi Street. Waimalu H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange; and Moanalua Road from Kaahumanu Street to Moanalua Loop. Waipio Farrington Highway, Leoole to Awanui streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets. HONOLULU Moanalua Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani; and Moanalua Freeway South Frontage and North Frontage roads from Ala Kapuna to Ala Napunani. 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; 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 . Wihelmina Rise Maunahilu, Pakolu and Pili places; and Paula Drive between Maunahilu Place and Iwi Way. WINDWARD OAHU Kaaawa Kamehameha Highway from Mahe Point to Lau Place. 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; Alahaki and Akupa streets; Akupa and Nanaloko places; and Kainui Drive. Waimanalo Flamingo and Ahiki streets ; Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets . Kailua Kalanianaole Highway from Kamehameha Highway to Kapaa Quarry Road. Kaneohe Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place ; Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to Kam IV Road; and Kula Kulea Street to Valley View Drive. EAST OAHU Kalani Valley Kalaniiki Street and Kalanikai Place . Hawaii Kai Kalanianaole Highway from Nawiliwili Street to Sandy Beach Park entrance.