Waikiki projects may get ax
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The Hannemann administration is considering dismantling millions of dollars worth of public works projects built under former Mayor Jeremy Harris, saying some of them were "rushed in at the end" and did not take maintenance costs and safety issues into account.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann inspected two projects in Waikiki yesterday, walking along Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard with several of his department heads to assess the situation for himself.
"I am really concerned about the costs," Hannemann said. "You may not see the problem today. You may not feel the cost or expense today, but I don't want to be a mayor that says it is not my problem ... let the next mayor worry about it."
Hannemann has already abandoned a $1.45 million Harris project to create two-way traffic on lower Punchbowl Street and indicated that the mauka-bound lane on upper Punchbowl, created in 1998, will be eliminated soon. Also under review is the tree-lined median installed on Lunalilo Home Road in 2003 at a cost of $1.2 million.
The mayor did not list all the projects being scrutinized and did not speculate on how much it might cost to make needed changes.
Some residents welcomed Hannemann's actions.
"Hannemann has to make some hard choices with the financial situation he inherited," said Robert Kessler, president of the Waikiki Residents Association and an opponent of the Ala Wai Boulevard project. "I don't want to see him waste money to undo things for no good reason, but if there are good reasons, I'm glad he is taking the time to see it for himself."
Among the changes being considered are removing trees that cause a problem for emergency vehicles or with roots that could disrupt sewer lines or uplift roads and sidewalks; restoring or changing traffic lanes; and removing beautification features deemed too expensive to maintain.
On lower Punchbowl, trees have been removed and a dozen parking spaces will be restored.
"There are a number of projects that we are reviewing basically because the priority is now on basic city services," Hannemann said. "The projects we are looking at, many of them were rushed in at the end of the last administration. They have raised a few eyebrows and a number of concerns."
But, he said, "We are not looking to undo everything the previous administration had embarked upon."
Former city managing director Ben Lee did not want to discuss specific projects yesterday, but said the Waikiki projects were not rushed and are good for both residents and tourists in the area.
"There is no deadline to make decisions," Hannemann said. "When appropriate and when it appears to be a problem from a maintenance standpoint for public safety, we will take action.
"It's all about maintenance," he said. "Ongoing maintenance costs and public-safety considerations. Those are the two criteria I'm laying out for us to look at anything right now."
The city spent $19 million on Kuhio Avenue last year, adding landscaped medians, public benches, redesigned traffic lanes and lighting intended to eliminate dark corners that hide drug dealing, prostitution and other criminal activities.
The $2.4 million Ala Wai Boulevard project widened the parking lane along the Ala Wai Canal to allow for a bicycle lane but permanently removed a lane of traffic and dozens of parking stalls on the busy road. The city built 21 bulb-outs — green areas as long as 100 feet that extend 7 feet into the parking lane — and added landscaping and new water lines.
On Kuhio Avenue, the mayor is concerned about too many new trees, and traffic lanes that some bus drivers and residents have complained are too narrow.
"Let's keep in mind that (Kuhio) was supposed to be the first phase of the (Bus Rapid Transit)," he said. "The BRT ain't going to happen. It was configured for BRT and should be changed somewhat because it is not going to be a BRT usage. That also will be factored into the consideration."
Robert Finley, chairman of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, said both the Kuhio and Ala Wai projects look good, but residents are concerned with safety issues as well.
Finley said too many buses now use Kuhio Avenue, emergency vehicle access is a concern on both major arteries, and three months after the projects were officially completed with a big block party, neither one is really done.
Crews are still working daily along Kuhio Avenue, construction trailers still fill a lot on Aloha Drive that was promised as replacement parking for the lost Ala Wai stalls and repaving and street marking are yet to be completed.
"It was done in such a hurry," he said. "I was really happy with that pace, but it looks like they are bogged down into details now and aren't really getting it done."
Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
