Traffic signal's saga: Joy for 'Ewa, woe in Waipahu

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The state has scrapped plans to install a traffic signal at Honowai Street and Kunia Road in Waipahu.

The decision brought joy to 'Ewa Beach residents who face up to 12 other traffic signals on their 45-minute commute along the 5.4-mile Fort Weaver/Kunia roads corridor and had worried that another stoplight would send some drivers bubbling over with road rage. However, it dismayed Waipahu residents who said the intersection leaves them exposed to accidents.

"That's absolutely insane. I guess public safety doesn't count for a hill of beans anymore," said 83-year-old C.O. "Andy" Anderson, who lives in the Crestview neighborhood served by Honowai Street.

At least nine accidents have occurred at the intersection over the past two years, according to police records.

The traffic signal had been a pet project of state Sen. Cal Kawamoto, who lives in Crestview and headed the Senate transportation committee until he was voted out of office this year.

Kawamoto had repeatedly included funding for the new traffic signal and other intersection improvements in bills that passed the state Legislature, but the money was never released by state officials. Last year, however, the Transportation Department said it would move ahead with the project, citing safety concerns.

That decision angered thousands of residents who said the light would add time to their frustratingly long commute between 'Ewa Beach and the H-1 Freeway. Several said there would be a revolution of drivers if the light ever became a reality.

"We shelved this project back in the spring after listening to the community. Now, after listening to their concerns, we've decided not to put in the light. We're going to go back and look at what other changes we can do to make the intersection safer," Ishikawa said.

Newly elected state Rep. Kymberly Pine, (R-43rd, 'Ewa Beach), said the decision was made after repeated lobbying of Gov. Linda Lingle and state Transportation Director Rod Haraga.

"The governor is a reasonable leader and I am glad that she was able to come to this decision," Pine said. " 'Ewa Beach has taken a back seat to other communities' needs and I just don't want to see that happen anymore."

Transportation officials said politics did not play a role in the decision, but the defeat of Kawamoto, who oversaw the Transportation Department's budget, clearly affected the project's prospects.

Kawamoto declined to comment yesterday.

"Everybody's very happy with the decision," said state Sen. Willie Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu). "It's the result of a long community effort led by my office and others."

The Honowai Street battle had pitted Espero, the vice chairman of the Senate transportation committee, against Kawamoto, his longtime Senate colleague and mentor.

"Now, we're going to go back and ask the Transportation Department for even more improvements in the area to help the Fort Weaver traffic," Espero said.

DOT should convert an existing shoulder into a second access lane to the H-1 Freeway, he said.

Ishikawa said the department still hopes to add a second right- turn lane for people exiting Honowai Street onto Kunia Road.

That didn't satisfy Anderson, however.

"It's impossible to leave the suburb now, unless you are doing it at 3 in the morning," he said. "People are blowing by at 75 miles per hour. I don't know how you can turn into that without a traffic light."

The turn is especially difficult for those who need to get into Kunia Road's far left lane to head for Kunia, Kapolei or Wai'anae, he said.

Espero said Harbor View residents have a simple, safe alternative to entering Kunia Road. With a few turns they can go around the block and get onto Kunia Road at Waipahu Street, where there is an existing traffic signal, he said.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com