STREETWISE

Palisades seeks decision on 2nd road

Roadwork

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Last year, a hostage standoff closed the only road to Pacific Palisades, stranding residents for about 15 hours.

Tomorrow, residents will discuss prospects for a second access road to the subdivision at a meeting called by Councilman Mufi Hannemann 7 p.m. at Palisades Elementary School in Pearl City.

The standoff occurred Oct. 29-30 when Wayman Kaua, 30, barricaded himself in a Waimano Home Road residence, taking his wife and another woman hostage. Police closed a part of nearby Komo Mai Drive, the only thoroughfare in and out of Pacific Palisades, after Kaua fired at least six shots. The standoff ended when a sharpshooter wounded Kaua.

Hannemann said he wants to establish whether a commitment was ever made to build a second road, whether there is a consensus in the community to build one and, if feasible, how a road will be paid for.

"I think if we don't bring some closure to it, it's going to come up again when there's another emergency," he said.

Joe Magaldi, deputy city transportation director, and Paul Won, chief city traffic engineer, will attend and try to answer these questions, Hannemann said.

Naomi Fujimoto, a former Pearl City Neighborhood Board member, sees the community divided over whether it wants a second access road. There is no clear consensus, she said.

Fujimoto, who slept in a car during the standoff, said her parents were original homeowners in Pacific Palisades. "They were promised that a secondary access road would be built," she said at an earlier meeting.

Albert Fukushima, chairman of the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, said the issue of a second road is a bit unfocused. "To my knowledge, I don't know of a second access road that was proposed," he said.

Since only Pacific Palisades would benefit from such a second road, Pacific Palisades would have to pay for it, he said. In his view, residents would oppose that because of the cost. Many are older persons who can't afford another assessment, he said.

Marilyn Harris, a former neighborhood board member, slept in a church during the standoff. "From what I gather, there isn't a real strong community wish for one (second access road)," she said.

Pacific Palisades has an emergency once in a while which heightens interest in a second road, and there are other neighborhoods that also could use an additional access road, she said.

"We're not alone," she said. "We certainly understand that."

Financing would be difficult, especially if residents were assessed, Harris said. "We don't want to pay for it. There isn't a big community push for it."

Shouldn't the city pay? "We're not going to say our needs are more important than other areas, because they're not," she said.

Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: LEEWARD OAHU Ewa Beach Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street. Maili Waapuhi Street. NORTH OAHU Haleiwa Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Kamehameha Highway from Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park. CENTRAL OAHU Kunia 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; and Lanikuhana Avenue. Waipahu H-1 in the vicinity of Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; 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, Ala Kapuna and Ala Napunani. 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, North School and Pahulu streets. Liliha Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard. Nuuanu Kimo Drive Bridge; 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. Kapiolani S. King Street from Church Lane to Kapiolani Boulevard intersection; and H-1 eastbound off-ramp to King Street. Punchbowl Auwaiolimu and Prospect streets. 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. 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 and from Hanauma Bay to Sandy Beach.