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Leeward College
seeks 2 more lanes
for access roadThe City Council has been
By Lori Tighe
presented with a master plan
to expand the college
Star-BulletinOne lane in, one lane out -- and the cars back up.
That's a problem Leeward Community College has suffered from for years because it has only a single, two-lane access road.
If an emergency like a tsunami struck forcing the college's 5,600 students to evacuate all at once, it could spell catastrophe.
"It's Leeward Community College's single most difficult issue, requiring the most work to alleviate," said George Atta, chief community planner with the architectural firm Group 70 International Inc.
Atta last week presented to the City Council a master plan to expand the college, which includes a recommendation that the road entering and exiting the campus be widened from two to four lanes.
"There are traffic jams every morning, noon and night," Atta said. "Any expansion would add to the congestion."
The college is asking the Council to approve a permit for a 375,000-square-foot expansion in building space, representing an 80 percent increase.
But the proposed traffic improvement doesn't lie in the community college's hands. Jurisdiction is with the state Transportation Department since the state owns the access road, Ala Ike Road.
Atta said Councilwoman Rene Mansho asked: Who will solve the traffic problem before expansion attracts more students and faculty?
"We couldn't answer her," he said. "It's basically up to the DOT."
The department undertook a major study a year ago on the problems surrounding the Waiawa interchange on H-1. Congestion at the college affects traffic on and off the exit, Atta said.
The department plans to look at Atta's widening recommendation. It's also investigating creating another access by extending Ala Ike to the back of the campus.
State Sen. Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu) in the past has brought up in the Legislature the need for a second access, said Clifford Togo, director of administration services for the community college.
"It puts us in a precarious position to only have one entrance, in case there's an emergency," Togo said.
He recalled that some years ago, there was a tsunami warning, and it took hours for the campus to evacuate.
The Council could stipulate a traffic improvement be made before Leeward expands its buildings, Atta said.
Leeward is in no rush to expand its buildings, Togo said. "It's just a plan for growth, not in the near future."
The master plan also includes expanding parking from 1,600 to 2,100 spaces for the growing student population.
The plan projects the student body will grow to about 8,000 part- and full-time students in upcoming years.
The college has not requested any money this year from the University of Hawaii Board of Regents for improvements, said Maynard Young, director of facilities for UH community colleges.
The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on Leeward Community College's plan review use permit for Feb. 16.
Planned this week throughout Oahu: Roadwork
LEEWARD OAHU
Ewa Beach
Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street; and Farrington Highway from Piliokoe Bridge to Kahe Power Plant in the vicinity of Tracks Beach Park.
Waianae
Hakalina Road from Pahihi to Puhawai roads.
NORTH OAHU
Haleiwa
Haleiwa Bypass Road.
CENTRAL OAHU
Kunia
Vicinity of Kunia Interchange to Waikele Stream Bridge and from Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; Kunia and Fort Weaver roads; H-1 freeway ramps 5 and 5-B and all other ramps in Kunia Interchange; and H-1 freeway in the vicinity of Kunia Interchange.
Wahiawa
Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; and Mala and Ilima streets.
Mililani
Mililani Interchange; and Lanikuhana Avenue.
Waipio
Farrington Highway, Leoole to Awanui streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets.
Waipahu
Waipahu Street from Amokii Street to Waikele Road.
Aiea
Moanalua Road from Punanani Channel to Pali Momi Street; Kaonohi Street between Alania and Kahapili streets; Kahapili Street to Kaonohi Street; Maohu and Heleconia places; and Akaaka, Ilee, Kulawai and Kaamilo streets.
Pearl City
Komo Mai Drive from Waimano Home Road to Hookupa Street.
HONOLULU
Foster Village
Halupa Street from Haloa Drive to Punihi Street.
Salt Lake
Ala Ilima and Likini streets.
Kalihi
Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; and Kapalama, School, Moani, Laulani, Puolani and Noe streets.
Liliha
Huli Street; and Vineyard Boulevard at Nuuanu Avenue.
Nuuanu
Kimo Drive Bridge; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; Kahawalu Drive; Ragsdale and Homelani places; Pali Highway at Waokanaka Street; Waokanaka Street to the Pali tunnel entrance; Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to the lookout; Dowsett Avenue; Waokanaka Street; and Old Pali Road.
Chinatown
King, River and Bethel streets.
Kakaako
Kapiolani Boulevard; 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
Harding Avenue from Kapiolani Boulevard to 1st Avenue; and Kapiolani Interchange.
Makiki
Keeaumoku and Heulu streets; and Piikoi at Lewalani Drive.
Moiliili
Kahoaloha Lane from Kuilei Lane to South King Street; and Kuulei Street from Kahoaloha Lane to University Avenue.
Punahou
Spreckels Street.
Kaimuki
12th, Koko Head, 6th and Kaimuki avenues.
Waialae
Aha Nui Place; Ainakoa Avenue; Malia and Makaikoa streets; and H-1 freeway, Koko Head to 21st Avenue.
Diamond Head
Harding Avenue.
Waikiki
Ala Wai Boulevard between Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue; McCully Street between Ala Wai and Kapiolani boulevards; and Kalakaua Avenue.
Wilhelmina 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.
Kahaluu
Ahuimanu Road; and Kialua, Hoopai and Poomau streets.
Hauula
Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; Waikulama Street; and Kamehameha Highway from Pipilani to Kaupau places.
Kailua
Kalanianaole Highway, Kamehameha Highway to Kapaa Quarry Road; Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop to Ilimano Street; Iliaina Street from Ililani Street to Iliwahi Loop and from Ilihau Street to end; Kailua Road at Kalaheo Avenue and on Aumoe Street; Kalanianaole Highway to Kawainui Bridge; Alahaki and Akupa streets; and Ilikaa, Akupa, Aleka, Kooku and Nanaloko places.
Waimanalo
Mokulama Street; Poalima Place; Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets.
Kaneohe
Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place.
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.
