Posted on: Wednesday, June 27, 2001
'Aiea, Pearl City residents present wish lists
By Adrienne Ancheta
Advertiser Staff Writer
More landscaping and less of an industrial look in the 'Aiea and Pearl City areas topped residents' priorities at a vision program meeting Monday at Alvah Scott Elementary School.
At the meeting, residents presented their wish lists for how to spend $2 million in capital investment made available through the city's visioning program. Participants also raised concerns about traffic congestion in certain areas and called for building more community facilities.
"We're trying to grow out of the blue-collar, cats-and-dogs community and into a livable community," said Robyn Blanpied, a member of the 'Aiea team for more than two years. "We'd love to be Hawai'i Kai but it's not going to happen. But we'd love the same amenities and attractions."
The 'Aiea vision team presented about 30 ideas for the program to a group of 30 'Aiea residents. The residents in attendance added a few of their own proposals, such as a skateboard park in 'Aiea, but the discussion mainly centered on the team's original list of projects.
One project that was largely supported was the beautification of Kamehameha Highway along a strip dotted with utility poles. Community members hope to plant trees along the strip as well as in other areas, such as around Aloha Stadium.
Other projects discussed at Monday's meeting were:
• Plans for the 'Aiea Town Center.
• Traffic calming measures on Ulune Street, Halawa Heights Road and 'Aiea Heights Drive.
• An in-line skating rink.
• A freeway off-ramp to Leeward Community College.
• Creating a back entrance to the Pearl City post office.
• Adding an off-ramp near the 'Aiea/Pearlridge exit off Moanalua Freeway.
As a way of voting, participants in the discussion were later given the opportunity to place five stickers next to the projects they supported most.
The ideas from this week's meeting will be taken to a joint 'Aiea/Pearl City Vision meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Waiau District Park. At that meeting, decisions will be made on which projects will receive the money.
