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Special to the Star-Bulletin
This is an artist's rendering of the Aiea and Pearl City Vision
Team's gateway plan for Pearl City. In this concept, the gateway
sign is etched in natural stone or cast in architectural concrete; the
water-like feature and sculptures depict the value of family;
monkeypod trees, royal palms and brightly colored shrubs
accentuate arrival; canopy trees lining Moanalua Road are
intended to slow traffic; and lighting will enhance
the gateway at night.

Team creates
gateway plan for
Pearl City, Aiea

Artistic markers with trees,
water-like features and
sculptures would greet
drivers entering the areas

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Motorists entering the urban communities of Aiea and Pearl City would be reminded of their rural beginnings by artwork -- if Patrick Onishi has his way.

Onishi, a principal of AM Partners, consultants, told the Aiea/Pearl City community vision team last week both gateway landmarks would be along Moanalua Road near the respective Ewa-bound exits from the H-1 freeway.

Preliminary price tags are $552,000 for the Aiea project, $535,000 for the Pearl City marker, including design and engineering fees.

William Clark, chairman of the Aiea Neighborhood Board, later said the gateway proposals need to be viewed alongside other vision team recommendations, such as park improvements, that might take priority.

Albert Fukushima, chairman of the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, emphasized that the vision team is separate from the board but spoke favorably of the proposed Pearl City landmark.

"I don't have any problem with that," he said.

The preferred Aiea gateway site is on the makai side of Moanalua Road, just past Kaimakani Street. The Pearl City site has portions on both sides of Moanalua Road, east of its Hoomalu Street intersection.

Onishi, former city planning director, said a water-like feature, appearance of a wet sheen, is seen as a platform for sculpture at both locations.

Night lighting also is part of the design concept, and landscaping is integral to overall plans.

Use of the gold tree was suggested by the Aiea community as a "signature element" to reinforce existing plantings of mature gold trees on the mauka side of Moanalua Road.

Monkeypod trees, royal palms and colorful shrubs would emphasize the approach to the Pearl City gateway feature. Canopy trees lining this portion of Moanalua Road are also intended to slow traffic.

Gateway signs would be etched into natural stone or cast in architectural concrete. Both gateway markers would be on state rights-of-way, and a governmental agreement would have to be worked out between the city and state, Onishi said.

He stressed that plans are still preliminary and comments are being sought.

Those having comments on Aiea and Pearl City gateway plans may present them at the next Vision Team meeting at 7 p.m. June 5 at Waiau District Park.