Best not to drive near Waikiki during Wednesday's parade
| • | Hawaiians seek spotlight, share Third World concerns |
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Map: ADBwatch parade route and detours |
| • | Special report: ADB in Hawai'i |
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Drivers be forewarned:
Expect major delays and detours during next week's Asian Development Bank conference, particularly during Wednesday's protest march through Waikiki from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park, city officials said yesterday.
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.: Traffic will not be allowed on Atkinson from Kahakai Drive to Kapi'olani Boulevard; Kapi'olani from Kaheka to McCully streets. 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Traffic will not be allowed on Kalakaua Avenue between Fern Street and Waikiki as the march heads toward Kapi'olani Park. After 1:30 p.m.: Traffic heading into Waikiki will be detoured onto Kuhio Avenue.
ADBwatch, the umbrella protest organization holding the Wednesday march from noon to 2:15 p.m., says it expects between 2,000 and 5,000 demonstrators during the event. Adding to traffic congestion, the ADB conference from Monday through next Friday is expected to draw about 3,000 delegates and observers from 59 member countries.
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Closed roads
The protest march will begin at Ala Moana Park at noon and proceed toward the Hawai'i Convention Center. From noon to 12:15 p.m., Atkinson Drive from Ala Moana Boulevard to Kahakai Street will be closed to traffic.
While protesters demonstrate in front of the convention center for an hour from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., traffic will not be allowed on Atkinson from Kahakai Drive to Kapi'olani Boulevard. Kapi'olani from Kaheka to McCully streets will also be closed.
At the same time, detours will be set up on Kapi'olani Boulevard. From 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., traffic will not be allowed on Kalakaua Avenue between Fern Street and Waikiki as the march heads toward Kapi'olani Park.
A detour route will be established on Fern and McCully streets for traffic headed into Waikiki.
After 1:30 p.m., traffic heading into Waikiki will be detoured onto Kuhio Avenue. Honolulu police will close then reopen side streets as the march proceeds down Kalakaua and traffic can return safely.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said motorists who need to reach Waikiki at that time of day should drive on Ala Moana or take Kapahulu Avenue. But Costa warned that "between 1:30 to 3 p.m., getting around Waikiki will be very difficult."
"I would recommend making other plans or getting to Waikiki well before the march begins," Costa said.
Bus service through Waikiki will also be affected by Wednesday's march. For the duration of the march, westbound service through Waikiki will operate on Kuhio Avenue. Eastbound service will be detoured along King and Isenberg streets, Kapi'olani Boulevard, Date Street and Kapahulu Avenue.
With the exception of Wednesday, Costa said all bus service in the vicinity of the Hawai'i Convention Center will run regular routes as much as possible.
