Waikiki transit work to forge on

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Work will continue on the much-disputed improvements to Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki, despite protests yesterday by hundreds of truck and bus drivers and a resolution passed by the City Council, administration officials said.

"I'm just going to ignore it," Mayor Jeremy Harris said of the vote.

Harris' decision means construction of sidewalks, lane changes and transit stations for the new Bus Rapid Transit system will proceed even though the non-binding council resolution asked that it be halted until the city is sure it has federal money to complete the first BRT segment.

"The council's action was nothing short of shameful. They continue to make Honolulu a laughingstock when it comes to dealing with transit," Harris said. "They embarrassed themselves and the city by even contemplating this after the project was approved, permitted, put out to bid and construction began."

Meanwhile, members of the Hawai'i Teamsters and Allied Workers union said they would continue to press for changes in the project, which will widen sidewalks and narrow driving lanes on Kuhio Avenue.

Although yesterday's street and council actions have no force of law, both supporters and opponents said they sent important signals about BRT and the future of other transportation projects in Honolulu.

"In and of itself, it doesn't have any effect, but it does show that the council has concerns and understands there are problems with the project," said Cliff Slater, head of the Alliance for Traffic Improvement. The group maintains the project will add to congestion on city streets.

Harris said the resolution could have ramifications far beyond Waikiki.

"It carries a message to Congress that the legislative body in this city doesn't have a clue what it's doing," he said.

Cheryl Soon, city transportation services director, said the Council action could be read as one more flip-flop on transit that will frustrate federal officials considering money for future projects, including a proposed rail system from Kapolei to Iwilei.

"There is serious concern at all levels of federal government, because we have reversed ourselves so often and so late in the past on transit," Soon told council members. "Please stop this sad legacy."

The initial segment of the BRT will run from downtown Honolulu to Waikiki via Kaka'ako, areas that are expected to see heavy growth in coming years, Soon said.

The city decided to start work on the project using only city money, because there are reasonable assurances federal money will be available to complete the work, Soon said.

Opponents said that was deceitful and possible unlawful.

"We've been misled by city officials telling us they had already had federal funds for the project, when in fact they haven't even applied for them yet," Slater said.

City Council Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi, who authored the resolution, said it shouldn't be read as a referendum on BRT.

"This has nothing to do with whether we like BRT or not," Kobayashi said. "The issue is ... the way the city encumbered money for the project. This resolution wants to make sure it's safe before we proceed."

Slater's group also has filed a lawsuit in federal court here challenging the legality of starting the work without any federal money.

Council members Nestor Garcia and Gary Okino, who voted against the resolution, said they thought work should proceed on what's known as the Initial Operating Segment of the BRT project.

"I've always had my concerns about BRT, but the first phase should tell us whether it will work or not," Okino said. "After that, we can decide what to do next."

Bus and delivery drivers are convinced changes to Kuhio Avenue, such as reducing the width of two of the four lanes from 13 feet to 10 feet, could doom the project.

"The bus itself measures just over 10 feet wide from mirror to mirror. How could the city think a 10-foot lane would be safe? It's not safe for our bus drivers or for any commercial driver or for the public," said Teamsters President Mel Kahele.

Rick Egged, president of the Waikiki Improvement Association, urged council members not to halt long-sought improvements to Kuhio Avenue just as they are beginning.

"For goodness' sakes, whatever you do, don't stop now and leave us under construction while you go through whatever machinations the government needs to do," he said.

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