Posted on: Friday, August 6, 2004
Delay in Ala Wai project sought
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The state has asked the city to stop work on its controversial Ala Wai Boulevard project until the Environmental Council can take up the issue next week.
The contractor has continued to work on the improvement project, however, and the city did not return calls from The Advertiser for comment.
In an Aug. 3 letter to Tim Steinberger, director of the city Department of Design and Construction, Genevieve Salmonson, director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control, asked that work be stopped until the council can discuss the project Aug. 12.
"In the interest of a fair and balanced consideration of the environmental issues involved, it would be advisable for the city to refrain from starting the project ..." Salmonson wrote.
The city has not responded to the OEQC request, according to City Councilman Charles Djou, an opponent of the project.
Work started on the $2.4 million project Aug. 2 and will include bulb-outs with landscaping and a bicycle lane between Kapahulu Boulevard and McCully Street. The work is expected to be completed by December.
Residents have picketed the project for weeks saying it is taking away much needed parking and creates dangerous traffic congestion with another major city improvement project ongoing on Kuhio Avenue.
Waikiki resident Robert Kessler last week asked the state to block construction and order the city to perform an environmental assessment because of the "serious consequences for the livability and tourism environment in Waikiki."
The city gave itself an exemption from performing an assessment for the work, something that is typical for minor projects, according to the OEQC.
The Environmental Council will discuss the Ala Wai project at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 in Room 702 of the State Office Tower, 235 S. Beretania St. A subcommittee will hear the issue at 1 p.m. Both hearings are open to the public.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
