Bike station slated for KCC
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Bureau
In an area shaded by grown shower trees on the edge of the Kapi'olani Community College campus, the city plans to build a comfort station with showers, lockers and bicycle racks.
This 6,500 square-foot site on the slopes of Diamond Head would become a bicycle staging area, where cyclists could rendezvous, stash their gear and maybe have a picnic. It would the first of its kind on O'ahu.
Public hearing
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What: Public comments are sought on the city's proposed bicycle staging area
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When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
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Where: Kahala Community Park, 4495 Pahoa Ave.
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For details: Call 527-5354.
The project has been in the drafting stages for at least two years and is the vision of resident and cyclist Eric McCutcheon, who has championed the project through the city's vision process. During the past year, public hearings have been held to find potential sites and discuss what the community wanted in the staging area.
The city estimates it will cost $600,000 to design and build the staging area. The project will require further public hearings, and, ultimately, City Council approval. The project is expected to go before the council in January and, if approved, go out to bid in December, said Wendie McAllaster of Helber Hastert & Fee, planners hired by the city to draft a plan and find a suitable site.
Initially, two possible sites were identified: the college and the vacated National Guard property. But planners believe the college site is much better suited because the school favors it, McAllaster said.
"The college was very eager to work with the city," McAllaster said. "By having the bicycle staging area at the college, it's a destination for commuters and recreational users that bicycle around Diamond Head. It serves more bicycle users and allows us to move more expeditiously."
The bicycle staging area fits with the city's push for bike lanes around the island. Crews are working on lanes along Keala'olu Avenue in Kahala, and on the Kalaniana'ole Highway on-ramp from Kahala.
However, students at the community college last week weren't sure how useful a bicycle area would be, because so many drive.
"If I rode a bike, I'd use it," said Toni Kitamura, a 20-year-old food service student. "But I prefer to use my car."
Another student, Dana Ellis, said the city would be wiser putting its money into making the bicycle lane system hook up islandwide, rather than spending it on the staging area. He also questioned the need for a shower at the comfort station.
"I wouldn't use something like that," Ellis said. "I think there are better things to spend the money on."
Reach Suzanne Roig at 395-8831 or sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
