"It's just no good the way it is," said the 74-year-old resident of Ocean Pointe, who takes Kaimalie Street to get home. "It's ridiculous."

'Ewa Beach residents and business owners are upset about two "No Left Turn" signs prohibiting them from making a left turn from Fort Weaver Road onto Kaimalie Street, despite a center turn lane that seems to allow it.

"It doesn't make sense," said Tesha Malama, chairwoman of the 'Ewa Neighborhood Board. "We have a turning lane there that will allow us to make that turn safely. ... It's just ludicrous to have a sign there."

The first "No Left Turn" sign was installed between 1997 and 2000, during which time Haseko Hawai'i Inc. was building homes in the subdivision now known as Ocean Pointe. The sign was on the east side of Fort Weaver Road, which was difficult for drivers to see.

A second sign was installed this year on the west side of Fort Weaver Road, fueling complaints from the community.

So much so, in fact, more than 800 residents signed a petition last month requesting the removal of both signs.

"If we felt (removing the signs) would be a safety problem, we wouldn't ask for them to be removed," said Jim Moylan, Ocean Pointe resident and exclusive agent with Allstate Insurance Company at 'Ewa Pointe Marketplace on Kaimalie Street. "It's common sense."

Moylan started the campaign to get the signs removed. He walked around the community, asking for signatures on the petition that was presented at last month's 'Ewa Neighborhood Board Meeting. The subject will again be discussed at today's meeting at the 'Ewa Beach Community and School Library.

A 1997 traffic study by Haseko concluded a "No Left Turn" sign would be warranted there, said Bob McGraw, project manager for Ocean Pointe.

"It's the DOT's call whether to exercise the warrant or not," he added.

As it is now, to get to 'Ewa Pointe Marketplace on Kaimalie Street from lower 'Ewa Beach, drivers have to pass Kaimalie Street, turn left at the next stoplight at Keoneula Boulevard, then meander through Ocean Pointe to hit Kaimalie Street and the shopping center.

But you can make left turns into 'Ewa Beach Shopping Center, on the corner of Fort Weaver Road and Kuhina Street, using the center turning lane. There are no signs there.

Kelly Lim said she has seen sales at KD Cafe Hawai'i in 'Ewa Pointe Marketplace drop nearly 50 percent since the second sign was installed. She even decided to open her coffee shop at 8:30 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. because customers just weren't coming.

"I'm absolutely against (the signs)," said Lim, 39, who lives in 'Ewa Beach. "People say they don't care and turn anyway. But some don't; they don't want to take the chance."

One Tuesday morning proved that many residents ignore the sign. A steady stream of cars made the illegal left turn onto Kaimalie Street. Even a police officer.

"It's so inconvenient," said Farrah Nelson, receptionist at The Smiling Face at 'Ewa Pointe Marketplace. "But everybody still does it. I see it all the time."

But removing the two signs isn't easy, said Scott Ishikawa, Department of Transportation spokesman.

"If the state takes out either sign, there's a chance we might be liable if there's an accident there," Ishikawa said.

McGraw, the Ocean Pointe project manager, said Haseko is updating its traffic master plan for the entire development, which includes that intersection.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.