Posted on: Friday, June 3, 2005

Waialua Bikeway connects community

By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer

The first phase of the long-awaited Waialua Beach Park Bikeway will be dedicated today at 9 a.m. by Mayor Mufi Hannemann on Waialua Beach Road fronting Pu'uiki Beach Park.

"It will be safer for the kids and the community, too," said City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, one of a number of community leaders who plan to attend.

"There's no sidewalks. So this will allow a designated area for bikes, kids going to school and for people walking," Dela Cruz said.

The $2.3 million bike path will connect Waialua Elementary School with the surrounding community.

For years area residents have fought to have the bike path constructed along Waialua Beach Road, from Weed Circle to Crozier Loop.

Waialua Beach Road, which fronts the school as well as Kukea Circle and Kahaone Loop subdivisions, has traditionally experienced heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic before and after school. Residents have lodged numerous complaints about speeding motorists along the roadway.

The complaints grew more intense in 1998 after a 10-year-old girl was killed at a bus stop on the road when she was struck by a truck.

North Shore Neighborhood Board member Jake Ng, who championed the bikeway as part of the city's vision projects plan, said he has heard numerous favorable comments from people who plan to use the bikeway.

"Some have said they are already using the bike path for walking, jogging, exercising and things of that nature," he said.

Ng said a small portion of the bike path fronting the school has yet to be completed.

That second phase, which will cost roughly half a million dollars, has been funded by the city and construction should begin this summer, said Ng.

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.