Drive Time
Nu'uanu pedestrian safety reviewed
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Having a busy highway next to a residential neighborhood isn't the easiest situation for government planners, especially when dealing with a sometimes deadly mix of speeding traffic and pedestrians.
Nu'uanu residents met with state transportation officials Sept. 20 to discuss ways to improve traffic safety along Pali Highway. The town meeting at St. Stephen's Church along the Pali was sponsored by state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland.
Concern over the traffic situation along the Pali was revived in July 1999 when a 90-year-old woman was fatally struck by a car as she attempted to cross Pali Highway about a block from Jack Lane. Six months later, an 80-year-old man was seriously injured when he was struck in a crosswalk at Jack Lane.
Since then, the state has installed a traffic signal and walk signal at that intersection.
At last month's meeting, some residents suggested placing permanent speed counter displays along the highway to show drivers how fast they're going.
Other suggestions included modifying U-turn areas along Pali Highway, adding more street signs and installing a vehicle runaway ramp as was done on the Kailua side of the Pali tunnels.
One proposal by transportation officials that was not well received was the suggestion to remove a couple of crosswalks to encourage pedestrians to use other crosswalks near traffic signals to ensure that drivers stop for them.
But those attending the meeting didn't want more crosswalks taken away, saying the elderly would be forced to walk farther to use a crosswalk to get to a bus stop just across the street.
Chun Oakland said transportation officials plan to respond to residents' suggestions at a 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 meeting at St. Stephen's, 2747 Pali Highway.
For more information about that meeting, contact Chun Oakland's office at 586-6130.
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NIKETOWN 5K Run: With 3,000 runners entered in Sunday's Waikiki run, which starts at 7 a.m., police will shut down certain roads for the race.
Honolulu police will attempt to let cross-traffic flow through once the bulk of the racers have passed. Most roads should be reopened by 7:45 a.m.
Kalaimoku Street will be closed for the race from 5:30 to 9:15 a.m.: from Kalakaua Avenue to Kuhio Avenue, and from Kuhio Avenue to Ala Wai Boulevard.
Here are some of the streets to be shut down from 6:45 a.m. until the race passes:
• Kalakaua Avenue from Ala Moana Boulevard to Monsarrat Avenue.
• Monsarrat Avenue from Kalakaua Avenue to Paki Avenue.
• Paki Avenue from Monsarrat Avenue to Ala Wai Boulevard.
• Ala Wai Boulevard from Paki Avenue to Kalaimoku Street.
• Saratoga Road (mauka-bound lanes near Kalakaua).
• Lewers Street (mauka-bound lanes near Kalakaua).
• Royal Hawaiian Avenue (mauka-bound lanes near Kalakaua).
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
