Drive Time
'Traffic-calming' meetings scheduled around O'ahu

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The city is holding the latest in a series of "traffic-calming" meetings this and next week around O'ahu in an effort to improve traffic safety.

Traffic-calming measures are designed mainly for residential neighborhoods that drivers cut through to avoid traffic lights or congestion, usually at higher than posted speeds.

The city began the program in 1998 in more "suburban" neighborhoods outside of urban Honolulu, but now wants to concentrate on higher-populated areas near schools, said city transportation director Cheryl Soon.

The city each year takes on one traffic-calming project in each of the nine O'ahu Council districts. Each councilmember selects the location for the annual project.

The meetings will be held at the following dates and times:

• Mo'ili'ili: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at Ala Wai Elementary, 503 Kamoku St.
• Halawa: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Makalapa Elementary, 4435 Salt Lake Blvd.
• Ala Moana: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ka'ahumanu Elementary, 1141 Kinau St. For the area around Ka'ahumanu Elementary and McKinley High schools.
• 'Aiea Heights: Originally scheduled for late April, the meeting has been moved back to June.

Q. What will the Mo'ili'ili meeting focus on?

A. City officials want to discuss the area around Ala Wai and Kuhio elementary and 'Iolani Schools, particularly during the students' drop-off and pick-up times along Kamoku Street, which is one-way.

"There's some confusion with the traffic pattern in the area," Soon said. "We want to discuss ways of reducing speeding and increasing residential parking."

Q. What will be done to deal with traffic around Ka'ahumanu Elementary and McKinley High schools near the Ala Moana area?

A. These schools are next to some of the busiest city streets: King, Beretania, Pi'ikoi, and Pensacola streets. Soon said "bulbouts," or sidewalk extensions, are being considered near some of the intersections to shorten the distance for pedestrians to cross.

Q. What are some of the residents' traffic concerns in the Halawa area?

A. Residents of Halawa Valley Estates between Kamehameha Highway and Salt Lake Boulevard near Aloha Stadium have complained of speeding. There is also a neighborhood park next to the main road of Kalaoa Drive.

Q. What are some of the traffic problems in the 'Aiea area?

A. The meeting will cover the area between 'Aiea Heights Drive, Ulune and Kaamilo streets near 'Aiea High School and 'Aiea District Park.

City Council member Gary Okino said residents also want to look at possible traffic-calming improvements for an awkward five-prong intersection of 'Aiea Heights Drive, Ulune, Hakina and Honohono streets. Despite a city traffic signal being planned for the intersection, blind spots and a downhill slope make it a likely area for accidents.

Scott Ishikawa writes about transportation issues. You can call him at 525-8070, write him at The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802 or e-mail sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.