City celebration to mark
Kuhio road renovations

The controversial beautification and Bus Rapid Transit-related improvements to Kuhio Avenue are done, and the city plans to celebrate its completion on Sunday.

When work began in March, area residents and businesses complained the construction would worsen traffic and expressed concerns that lanes of traffic might be narrowed too much.

But last month, the city launched the first segment of a pared-down BRT line with gasoline/electric buses traveling between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki.

Tim Steinberger, director of the city Department of Design and Construction, said the price tag for the 1.2-mile-long Kuhio Avenue project came in at $19 million, which is part of a $31 million appropriation of city money for the initial Iwilei-to-Waikiki BRT segment. The improvements came in ahead of schedule, Steinberger said.

The Kuhio Avenue improvements include widened sidewalks, landscaping, new historic lighting and other road improvements, including modified curb heights and bus pullouts for the BRT.

Sunday's celebration will include what the city is calling a small Brunch on the Beach dubbed "Christmas Brunch on Kuhio Avenue," starting at 10 a.m. at King Kalakaua Park on Kuhio Avenue, in front of Keo's Restaurant at the Ambassador Plaza.

A section of Kuhio Avenue from Kuamoo and Namahana streets will be closed for the celebration.

Festivities will include entertainment by Na Leo, the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club, Halau Hula 'O Hokulani and a visit from Santa.

City officials are urging the public to park at the Waikiki Shell or Kapiolani Park and then catch free TheTransit shuttles from the Kapahulu Avenue Trolley stop to the celebration site. The shuttle will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.