Navy transfers Kalaeloa roads
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Navy yesterday turned over 17 miles of roadway on the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station to the state and city.
Navy Capt. Paul Kuzio, who signed the documents on behalf of the Navy, called the road transfer a "win, win, win" situation during a ceremony at Honolulu Hale.
Navy officials had become impatient with delays by local governments in taking responsibility for roads at what is now called Kalaeloa. The Navy turned over most of the former base to the city and state in July 1999.
The state owns the air field on the property, the National Guard owns a parcel of land next to the air field, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands owns a section of Kalaeloa. The city has several acres of park land scattered along the former base, which includes a shoreline that exceeds the length of Waikiki Beach, according to city officials. Between them, the city and state have gained 2,100 acres from the base closure.
City Managing Director Benjamin Lee signed documents yesterday at the ceremony, indicating the city was taking official responsibility for 11 roads totaling seven miles.
The city now has responsibility for Saratoga, Hornet and Copahee avenues; Midway, Independence and Boxer roads; and Shangrila, White Plains, Yorktown, Tripoli and Lexington streets.
No one was present to sign for the state's roads, but Bill Bass, executive director of the Barbers Point redevelopment commission, said Department of Transportation director Brian Minaai had already signed for four roads totaling 11 miles. The state's roads were Enterprise and Roosevelt avenues and Coral Sea and West Perimeter roads.
Bass said the remaining 87 roads on the property are the responsibility of whatever entity takes over the property surrounding them.
He said the state is expected to spend $28 million to improve its roads and the city is expected to spend $14 million on its roads.
Lee said the city will seek clearance from the state to remove a fence and pave a short section of road south of Varona Village. The city now uses part of the road as a bus turnaround point. Once that segment is opened, Renton Road will connect to Hanson Road, which becomes Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue and traverses the length of Kalaeloa.
State Rep. Willie Espero, whose 41st District encompasses 'Ewa Beach, said the ability to access Roosevelt will allow some of his constituents to avoid Fort Weaver Road, easing bumper-to-bumper morning traffic for Leeward commuters.
