City to try to widen Kuhio's tight lanes
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The city says immediate action will be taken to widen lanes on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki that have been criticized as a safety hazard since they were narrowed last month when work began on a $19 million sidewalk-widening and beautification project.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Sam Cummings, a city bus driver with 23 years experience, said that as it is now, the street is not safe for public buses.
This is what Kuhio Avenue looked like yesterday at the intersection with Kapahulu Avenue near the zoo. Bus drivers say the ongoing beautification project, scheduled for completion by Dec. 1, has created a safety hazard.
"It is real tight," Cummings said yesterday. "We had 2 feet of clearance on both sides and now there is 2 inches at the most. Our left side is on the lane divider and our right at the curb. There is no buffer zone."
Cummings said the buses are driving so close to the curb that a pedestrian on the sidewalk could easily be hit by the rearview mirrors.
Ben Lee, city managing director, said he went to see for himself after hearing about the problem.
"It's fine for cars, but if we can just squeeze out a foot more, it would be better," Lee said yesterday. "We will try to make those adjustments tomorrow. I think we can do that."
The yearlong project will include more trees, wider sidewalks with benches and better lighting to deter crime. When completed, there will be two lanes in each direction and Kuhio will be the designated route for the city's proposed high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit system.
Hawaiian Dredging and Royal Contracting are both working on the project. Work has begun on both ends of Kuhio Avenue, with a pit dug down the middle of the street on the diamondhead end for a new median and landscaping. There are traffic cones blocking off the mauka side of the street for surveying work on the 'ewa end. Two traffic lanes were eliminated.
Sarah Javillonar, manager of The Patisserie shop on Kuhio Avenue, said that even if the lanes are made a little wider, she is still concerned about people's safety as they board the bus on the coned side of the street.
"It's dangerous because people have to get off the sidewalk and walk into the street to get on the bus," Javillonar said.
Calvin Kapua, training manager for O'ahu Transit Services Inc., which operates TheBus, said a crew will be sent to the area today to check the conditions and make sure the route is safe.
"We were never told about these changes by the city," Kapua said. "We stress safety, safety, safety and no one ever talked to us about it."
Lee said everyone needs to understand that there are going to be some inconveniences during construction, which is expected to be completed by Dec. 1.
"The idea is to make Waikiki pedestrian-friendly," Lee said. "The sidewalks on Kuhio are terribly narrow. We want to make it a walking environment rather than a service street.
"We ask for all the drivers and residents to be patient. Be patient, be careful.
"In the end, it will be good for the visitor industry, for small business and for the residents."
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
