$124M Kapolei roadwork planned

In partnership with the city, a developer plans $172 million in improvements

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Traffic-weary residents will be happy to know that road improvements in Kapolei will be stepped up due to a partnership between the city and a private developer, state Sen. Mike Gabbard says.

Some $124 million of $172 million contributed by Kapolei Property Development will improve Kapolei roads. The remainder of the funds will go toward drainage systems, sewer lines, water reservoirs and a transit facility.

The city plans to expedite the permitting process with a modified third-party review process that will move up projects to be completed in 2012 instead of 2015, said Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Kapolei Property Development, an affiliate of James Campbell Co., also plans to fast-track the transfer of 5.3 acres to the city for an integrated bus and transit facility next to Kapolei Hale.

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Frustration among residents over the lack of road, sewer and other improvements in Kapolei will soon be eased after a partnership between the city and a private developer expedites projects.

Kapolei Property Development, an affiliate of James Campbell Co. LLC, contributed $172 million to construct and improve roadways, drainage, sewer lines, water reservoirs and a transit facility in Kapolei, dubbed the "second city."

In a briefing held near Kapolei Hale yesterday, Mayor Mufi Hannemann said the city will expedite the permitting process for the infrastructure with a modified third-party review process that will move up the completion date for the projects to 2012, instead of 2015.

This is major news for residents in West Oahu, Hannemann said.

Kapolei Property is required to do the infrastructure work, but the partnership with the city will allow the private developer to speed up construction and improvements, city spokesman Bill Brennan said.

The company recognized that it failed to keep up with the infrastructure to keep pace with the rapid population growth of Kapolei. "In partnership with the city, we intend to make that right," said David Rae, senior vice president of development of Kapolei Property Development.

"This is all really about timing. ... It's timing that is crucial to the community," Rae said at the briefing.

Kapolei Property Development also plans to fast-track conveyance of 5.3 acres of land for the bus and transit facility slated to be built near Kapolei Hale and along the Kapolei Parkway, the planned transit route.

Of the $172 million, $124 million will go toward road projects that will connect residents in Makakilo, Kapolei and Waianae.

Projects include a grid system to relieve traffic in Kapolei, widening Kalaeloa Boulevard to a six-lane highway from four lanes, completion of Kapolei Parkway, work to the Kamokila Boulevard extension and construction of a second onramp onto the H-1 freeway near the intersection of Farrington Highway and Makakilo Drive.

Remaining funds will go toward construction of two water reservoirs, one slated to have a capacity of 4 million gallons while the other is slated to have a capacity of 1 million gallons. New sewer lines will also be constructed, as well as a new sewage pumping station.

"This is excellent," said Shad Kane, chairman of the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board, adding that infrastructure has been a hot topic at a number of meetings over the years.

State Sen. Mike Gabbard (R, Kalaeloa-Makakilo) said the funding will alleviate a lot of anger among residents who are forced to deal with traffic congestion daily. "We're very appreciative of this," Gabbard said.