By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
The city may install more traffic-calming measures in Makiki and McCully to help curb speeding and improve traffic safety.
City transportation officials are considering building a second Makiki roundabout near the entrance of Lincoln Elementary School along ‘Auwaiolimu Street to help discourage speeding motorists.
Roundabouts are designed to slow traffic at intersections by forcing drivers to negotiate a circle with traffic entering from and exiting into adjoining streets. Landscaping in the circle’s center obscures drivers’ vision and forces the driver to slow down.
City transportation services director Cheryl Soon said area residents attending a community workshop in January decided they wanted a roundabout to deal with speeding drivers. The city built the first roundabout in Makiki at Ke‘eaumoku and Heulu Street, followed by another in Salt Lake.
"A lot of parents drop off their children across the street from the school; kids walking to school also cross there," said Soon, who noted that the structure could be up and running within a year or two.
"We’ll create a design and go back to the community to get their response," Soon said. "A big complaint is some drivers are dropping off their children along the curbs of ‘Auwaiolimu, then making a U-turn.
"The only concern I see about the roundabout is ‘Auwaiolimu is on a steep incline, but we’ll take a look at what can be done."
| Traffic-calming workshops
The city will hold three traffic-calming workshops this week at schools in the McCully, Mo‘ili‘ili and Ala Moana neighborhoods.
 Wednesday — Mo‘ili‘ili Schools Complex (areas around Ala Wai, Kuhio and ‘Iolani schools). From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ala Wai Elementary, 503 Kamoku St.
Thursday — McCully Schools Complex (Lunalilo and Washington schools). From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lunalilo Elementary, 810 Pumehana Street.
Friday — Ala Moana Schools Complex (McKinley and Ka‘ahumanu schools). From 6 to 8 p.m. at Ka‘ahumanu Elementary, 1141 Kinau St.
For information about the traffic-calming meetings, call the city at 527-5016. |
The city began its traffic-calming program in more "suburban" neighborhoods outside of urban Honolulu, but wants to concentrate on higher-populated areas near schools, she said.
Residents also want to reduce the number of lanes from four to two along Nehoa and Prospect streets near Roosevelt High and Stevenson Intermediate.
City officials also want to install traffic-calming measures in McCully near Lunalilo Elementary and Washington Intermediate Schools.
Soon said the proposal would include the construction of mini-roundabouts at intersections next to the Lunalilo Elementary. The city would also install curb extensions at crosswalks at McCully and King streets near Lunalilo and Washington schools. Called "bulbouts," the elevated and extended sidewalks would improve visibility between pedestrians and motorists, and create a shorter distance for pedestrians to cross.
Other options to curb speeding would include building speed tables (a kinder, gentler version of the speed bump) along streets near Lunalilo Elementary. Another would narrow the lanes along Pumehana, Hau‘oli and Citron streets by adding a bike lane.
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