Drivers can expect major delays as march hits streets Wednesday

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The Asian Development Bank annual meeting that runs today through Friday is expected to cause traffic congestion in Waikiki.

But it's the Wednesday protest march that may bring motorists to a virtual standstill.

The march, organized by the protest group ADBwatch, will run from noon to 2:15 p.m. through Waikiki from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park.

The group says more than 2,000 people are expected to participate in the nonviolent march.

From Ala Moana Park, the march proceeds along Atkinson Drive to the Hawai'i Convention Center where the ADB conference is being held.

The demonstrators will protest in front of the convention center from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., and then will march down Kalakaua Avenue to Kapi'olani Park for a rally.

The following traffic restrictions and detours for motorists will apply during the ADB march:

• Noon to 12:15 p.m., the ADB march will cross Ala Moana from Ala Moana Park to Atkinson Drive. Traffic will be stopped in both directions. There will be no detours set up. Atkinson Drive from Ala Moana to Kahakai Street will also be closed from noon to 12:15 p.m., or until the marchers reach the front of the Convention Center.

• From approximately 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., all traffic, except for emergency vehicles, will be prohibited on: Atkinson Drive from Kahakai Street to Kapi'olani Boulevard; and Kapi'olani Boulevard from Kaheka Street to McCully Street.

• Also from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., diamondhead-bound traffic on Kapi'olani Boulevard will turn left onto Kaheka Street, then right on South King Street and right on McCully Street where it can rejoin Kapi'olani Boulevard. 'Ewa-bound traffic on Kapi'olani Boulevard will turn right on McCully Street , then left on Beretania Street and left on Ke'eaumoku Street where it can rejoin Kapi'olani Boulevard.

• From about 1:15 to 1:30 p.m., all traffic on Kalakaua Avenue will be prohibited between Fern Street and through Waikiki as the march proceeds toward Kapi'olani Park. A detour route will be established on Fern Street and McCully Street for traffic headed into Waikiki.

• After 1:30 p.m., traffic heading into Waikiki will be detoured onto Kuhio Avenue. The Honolulu Police Department will progressively close then reopen side streets as the march proceeds and traffic can return safely.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said drivers needing to get to Waikiki should take Ala Moana Boulevard or Kapahulu Avenue.

With the exception of Wednesday, Costa said all city buses in the vicinity of the Hawai'i Convention Center will run regular routes as much as possible.

If detours become necessary, the following bus routes will be affected: A (CityExpress! UH-Waipahu); B (CityExpress! Waikiki-School/Middle Street); 2 (Waikiki-Kalihi Transit Center); 3 (Kaimuki-Pearl Harbor); 9 (Palolo-Downtown); and 13 (Waikiki-Liliha). These routes will be detoured via Kaheka, King and McCully streets eastbound, and McCully, Beretania and Ke'eaumoku streets westbound.

Additional routes will be affected during Wednesday's march on Atkinson Drive, Kapi'olani Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to the routes listed above, these routes will be affected Wednesday: C, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19, 20, 40, 40A, 42, 43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58.

For the duration of the march, westbound service through Waikiki will operate only on Kuhio Avenue. Eastbound service will be detoured via King and Isenberg streets, Kapi'olani Boulevard and Date Street to Kapahulu Avenue.

Service will return to normal as soon as the march ends.

TheBus will have additional supervisors and information staff on duty near the convention center next week. Detour routes will be posted on affected bus stops.

For information on these and other matters regarding the ADB meeting, go to the city's Web site.