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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Road flaws have
delayed its openingQuestion: Regarding nonworking traffic lights and a blocked street at Aiea Heights Drive and Halewiliko Street, next to the old Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association building: I first noticed these lights in 2000. They had burlap bags placed over them, and Halewiliko Street had barriers up to prevent people from using the road. It's now 2004 and the lights are still bagged and the street closed. Why?
Answer: Halewiliko ("House of Sugar Processing") is a privately owned roadway on the site of the former Aiea Sugar Mill.
The property was purchased by Crazy Shirts Inc., which planned to develop an industrial subdivision and turn Halewiliko over to the city as a public street several years ago.
However, Crazy Shirts went into bankruptcy. Bank of Hawaii acquired Halewiliko Street from Crazy Shirts as part of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, said bank spokesman Stafford Kiguchi.
Meanwhile, the city said it would not accept the roadway until the owner made improvements.
Specifically, the city is asking the owner to identify the cause of "eruptions" at several locations in the asphalt roadway and to come up with a proposal "of the appropriate construction remedy," according to the city Department of Design and Construction.
Kiguchi said, "Unfortunately, it was not until November of this past year that the bank was notified of what appears to be flaws in the asphalt on portions of the roadway."
The bank does not want to open the street to public use until the repairs are made and the street is accepted by the city.
At one point, the city Department of Facility Maintenance had concerns about a drainage easement under a new bridge. However, Kiguchi said it was his understanding that that issue had been resolved.
"We're sympathetic toward the public's desire to begin using the street, and we are equally anxious to get this project completed," Kiguchi said.
The bank has hired a civil engineering firm to recommend what needs to be done and hoped to have a proposal for the city this month.
"At that point, we hope to work expeditiously with the city and a paving contractor to get Halewiliko open as soon as possible," Kiguchi said.
Q: Is there a reason why the lights under the H-1 freeway between Chili's Restaurant and Tony Roma's near Kahala Mall are turned off every night? That area is really dark and it's hard for drivers to watch for pedestrians. Also, it's spooky to have to wait for buses in the dark! Can we have the lights turned on before an accident occurs?
A: The street lights under the H-1 Waialae viaduct should be working now.
"We originally checked to see if it was a mechanical failure on our part, but found it had something to do with the electrical power," said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction under the viaduct.
Hawaiian Electric Co. crews repaired the problem on Monday, he said.
Complaints about broken lights, road debris, potholes, etc., on state roads can be directed to 831-6714.
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Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com
