Posted on: Friday, December 13, 2002

Waipahu sees project as road to recovery

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Waipahu residents hope that a new beautification project along Farrington Highway will help revitalize the town's economy, which has stagnated since the closure of O'ahu Sugar Co. in 1995.

The state has allocated $4.8 million for improvements along the highway from Waipahu High School to Kunia Road. Improvements include planting of shower trees and ferns along the highway, installing curbs and gutters and extending left-turn lanes.

The groundbreaking for the project was held on Nov. 27.

"First, safety will be improved," said Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Pearl City). "But the beautification of the business area will hopefully attract businesses."

Waipahu town has been in the economic doldrums, overshadowed by its younger, burgeoning neighbors Waikele and Royal Kunia. Mom-and-pop stores have been struggling, having to compete with big retailers such as Kmart and Costco.

"This project has been a long time coming," said Craig Richter, chairman of the transportation committee on the Waipahu Neighborhood Board and representative on the Citizens Advisory Council to the O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. "The area has been devastated economically when the sugar mill shut down. People were without jobs."

Waipahu may be seeing an upturn after a recession in the 1990s.

The $14 million Filipino Community Center on Mokuola Street, which opened in June, has become a cultural focal point in the neighborhood — and a center of pride for the large Filipino community in the area. The Leeward YMCA has moved into the former sugar mill administration building and has plans for expansion. More businesses, including new tenant Fujifilm, are moving into the Mill Town Center. Marukai Corp. opened a 99 Cent store this summer in Waipahu Town Center, which lost its anchor tenant, Safeway, in late 2000.

The project isn't only focused on beautification. Kawamoto hopes the trees and ground covering along the highway will prevent people from jaywalking.

"Hopefully, (the improvements) will bring a lot of pride to the people who live in Waipahu," Richter said. "We fought a long time for it. It's an exclamation mark for the community."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.