Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Traveling westbound on the H-1 freeway, there is an onramp from Old Waialae Road, just before the University Avenue offramp. There is no yield sign or anything, and the drivers coming onto the freeway never stop. It's a dangerous situation. Who has the right of way? Freeway right-of-way
depends on situationAnswer: The Hawaii Revised Statutes does not have a specific rule regarding merging onto a freeway, according to state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali, who directed us to the Hawaii Driver's Manual.
It depends on the situation, with drivers entering the freeway advised to slow or stop if it is congested, but those on the freeway advised to leave the right lane open to merging traffic or to make space for merging cars.
This is what the manual says about drivers entering the freeway:
"Observe traffic in the entrance lane. If it is congested, slow down or stop near the entrance. Do not move slowly to the end of the entrance lane and stop. It is very difficult and dangerous to attempt to enter freeway traffic when you are stopped at the end of the entrance lane.
"When the entrance lane is clear, use your turn signal to indicate that you are going to merge into the freeway traffic lane; then increase the speed of your vehicle to match that of oncoming freeway traffic.
"Look to see if there any oncoming vehicles in the freeway near lane. If not, move into the freeway near lane and maintain your speed. If there are oncoming vehicles, slow your vehicle slightly and move in behind the oncoming vehicle."
In regards to freeway vehicles:
"The right lane should remain open for traffic entering and leaving the freeway as much as possible. If you are in the right lane, allow space for entering vehicles."
Auwe
To the man walking his dog on Likini Street by Ala Napunani about 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. He let his dog leave his mess on the grass near the sidewalk, then walked away without picking it up. I hope some dog does the same thing in his yard someday. -- No Name
Mahalo
To a very nice, knowledgeable, helpful gentleman in a green aloha shirt who helped my husband change a flat tire at Dole and Wilder streets on Monday, July 23. He even let us use his cell phone because we didn't have one. I forgot to ask his name but hope he reads this. -- Appreciative Couple
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