Governor renames Honolulu freeways

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

After more than three decades of existence, Honolulu's H-1 and H-2 freeways are getting new names.

Gov. Ben Cayetano announced yesterday that the state will name the western portion of H-1 the Queen Lili'uokalani Freeway. H-2 will be known as the Veterans Memorial Freeway.

The names honor Hawai'i's last reigning monarch and the men and women who have served in the military.

"As the main lifeline of transportation on O'ahu, it is fitting tribute that the H-1 Freeway be named in honor of Hawai'i's queen," Cayetano said. "She was a woman of great compassion and creativity and her legacy of aloha continues."

The name will apply to the 19.1-mile stretch of H-1 from Middle Street to its end near Honokai Hale on the Wai'anae Coast.

The original 8.1-mile section of H-1 from Middle Street to Kahala will remain the Lunalilo Freeway.

Cayetano said all Hawai'i's male and female veterans will be acknowledged in the H-2 name.

"They risked their lives for freedoms we enjoy today, and we will be eternally grateful," he said.

The two freeways were built in the 1960s and 1970s but known only by their interstate freeway designations since then.

Earlier this year, O'ahu's H-3 Freeway was named in honor of former Gov. John A. Burns.