Posted on: Friday, May 31, 2002
Torch Run organizers to assess traffic issue
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Organizers of the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run yesterday said they will look into the possibility of posting more traffic advisories and starting the event later in the day to alleviate traffic congestion in Windward O'ahu.
Some Honolulu-bound motorists on the Pali Highway said yesterday's run snarled morning traffic and delayed their commute by an hour or more. One motorist said a team of solo bike officers, vans and about 20 runners took up one lane of traffic while officers directed motorists to drive around the group.
Many of the motorists didn't know the run was going on and figured police shut down a section of the highway because of an accident. A handful of motorists called The Advertiser to complain about the traffic.
"I'm not against the policemen," said one caller who declined to give his name. "But why do they have to do it on the Pali Highway at 10:30 in the morning? They take the whole right lane. The traffic was backed up all the way to Kailua."
This year, thousands of law enforcement officers from the federal, military, state, county and local agencies participated in the annual Torch Run, named after officer Troy Barboza, 23, a Honolulu police officer and Special Olympics coach who was killed in the line of duty in 1987. The Torch Run has raised more than $1 million for Special Olympics Hawaii.
Nancy Bottelo, chief executive officer of Special Olympics Hawaii and one of the organizers of the Torch Run, said she received no traffic complaints yesterday but apologized after learning about traffic problems on the Pali.
"That's something we're so sorry about," said Bottelo. She added that organizers are always "open to new ideas" on how to keep traffic moving during the Torch Run.
She said organizers are looking into starting the run later in the day, perhaps in the evening or night, but she said that might curtail the runners' school visits, and that darkness may make it dangerous for runners.
Bottelo said the Torch Run was done on a weekend several years ago, but it generated more complaints from motorists who were trying to enjoy their weekend and got stuck in traffic. In addition, Bottelo said, the Torch Run always precedes the annual Special Olympics Hawaii Summer Games, which start Friday.
She said organizers might be reluctant to change the route of the run but would do what's best for the community.
Torch Run Director and Honolulu police Robert Steiner said he hadn't heard of any traffic complaints yesterday, but he said Pali Highway is probably the most traffic-prone leg during the run because the hill slows runners.
"We're trying to alleviate traffic as much as we can," Steiner said. "It's an ongoing process for us. We're trying to work that side (the Pali) so it won't hamper traffic as much. We're trying to get over the Pali a little faster."
Steiner said organizers will look into the possibility of having more advertisements and advance public notices of the Torch Run with suggestions of alternate routes for motorists during the run. He also said posting advisories about the Torch Run on the state's electronic freeway signs could be a possibility, but he would need to consult with the state Department of Transportation.
The Torch Run began Wednesday in Kahuku. It resumed at 8:30 a.m. yesterday from First Hawaiian Bank in Kailua and at 7 a.m. from First Hawaiian's Pearl City branch. The event culminates tonight with a run from Fort DeRussy to Les Murakami Stadium and a cauldron-lighting ceremony.
