| Customer Service | Place Ad

Thursday, May 24, 2012

www.staradvertiser.comNewsBreaking

Comment | View Comments

Feds reveal APEC security restrictions for Waikiki, Ko Olina

By Gordon Y.K. Pang

POSTED: 09:28 a.m. HST, Oct 20, 2011
LAST UPDATED: 07:42 p.m. HST, Oct 20, 2011

Access to the busiest streets in the Ala Moana-Waikiki region will be limited severely during next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, under federal restrictions issued this morning.

The U.S. Secret Service released maps detailing the road closures, parking restrictions and other security measures for Waikiki and Ko Olina. The security zones also include airspace and ocean restrictions.

The public should expect road closures, parking restrictions and pedestrian screening as they enter the security zones set up by the Secret Service.

Various security measures will be in effect from about 10 p.m. on Nov. 11 through about 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 13. Among the areas most affected will be Ala Moana Boulevard, Kalakaua Avenue, Saratoga Road, Kalia Road, Lewers Street and Beachwalk Road.

Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Boulevard around the Hawaii Convention Center will also be closed to general traffic from 6 a.m. to about 7 p.m. starting Nov. 8 through Nov. 11. Bus service will be re-routed.

The measures will be in effect in Ko Olina from about 11 p.m. on Nov. 12 through about 11 p.m. on Nov. 13.

President Barack Obama is hosting the leaders of 20 other Asian-Pacific countries during the summit. More than 20,000 people, including cabinet ministers, business leaders, journalists and support staff, will be in Honolulu for the meetings.

"Security and transportation restrictions have been coordinated to ensure the safety and security of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting leaders and delegates," the Secret Service said in a release. "Every effort has been made to minimize the impact of these safety measures. The public's cooperation and patience is appreciated during this time."

Within the restricted zones at both Hale Koa and Ko Olina, vehicular traffic will be limited to vehicles with a law enforcement or public safety function. Pedestrian traffic will be limited to residents and business owners and employees within the secure area. Government-issued photo identifications, such as a driver's license, will be required to gain access.

Additionally, motorists islandwide are being told to anticipate roadway restrictions on H-1 Freeway westbound between Waikiki and Ko Olina, as well as on Farrington Highway, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. as the leaders make their way from Honolulu to the Leeward Coast. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes during that time.

City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard said popular surf spots such as Rockpiles, Kaisers and Nuber Fours will remain accessible, except from 11 p.m. on Nov. 11 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 12.

Surf spots Numbers Threes and Paradise will remain open Nov. 12, Gabbard said in a news release.

Detailed listing of APEC security restrictions

APEC Hale Koa Security Zone APEC Ko Olina Security Zone APEC Hale Koa Parking Restrictions APEC Ala Wai Boat Harbor restrictions APEC Security Water Zones

APEC Roads Affected APEC street parking affected APEC Suggested Routes Daytime APEC bus detours Nov. 8-11 APEC All Day Bus Route Detours Nov. 11-13 APEC Bus Detours Nov. 11-13 APEC Hawaii Convention Center Restrictions

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. Any violations of these terms may result in account suspension or deactivation. Please keep your comments civil and in good taste. To report a comment, email commentfeedback@staradvertiser.com.

Leave a comment

Please login to leave a comment.

allie wrote:

What a nightmare for the public!

on October 20,2011 | 10:37AM

Leewardboy wrote:

“All visitors and residents should anticipate roadway restrictions on H-1 Freeway westbound and Farrington Highway between Waikiki and Ko Olina on November 13 from 8:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. All are advised to use alternate routes during this time period.” Alternate routes? Where are the alternate routes to the West Side? Did a bypass road get built while we weren't looking? Do we bump along over the rail road tracks? Anyone going Kahe, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae and Makaha side - better not drive in the morning. Probably be even more "roadway restrictions" later because they have to move them out when their meetings are done.. More APEC humbug.

on October 20,2011 | 10:56AM

sukebesan wrote:

Good luck to all those who live, work or run a business in the area bounded by Ward Avenue on the west, H-1 Freeway to the north, Ala Moana Blvd. and Kalakaua Avenue to the south and Kapahulu Avenue to the east.

on October 20,2011 | 12:36PM

Sunny wrote:

They will allow business owners access to their shops in the restricted areas with proper credentials (issued by the govt) but customers will not be able to go there so many of them will lose business .... I will not go anywhere near any of the secured areas. I'm wondering how many weddings are planned for 11/11/11 that will be impacted by this; if you have to go to Hale Koa for a wedding reception...forget it!

on October 20,2011 | 01:04PM

Anonymous wrote:

Time to take a vacation on the West Coast; hopefully the weather will be OK for some golf

on October 20,2011 | 01:13PM

kainalu wrote:

And to listen to Lt. Gov What's-his-name suggest that this is all better for "the economy" of Hawaii. Yeah, for your cronies.

on October 20,2011 | 02:27PM

Wazdat wrote:

So glad I will be out of town, sounds like a BIG HEADACHE.....

on October 20,2011 | 04:16PM

Paco3185 wrote:

"Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Boulevard around the Hawaii Convention Center will also be closed to general traffic from 6 a.m. to about 7 p.m. starting Nov. 8 through Nov. 11. Bus service will be re-routed." Can anyone point to the Press Release that has more information on this? All of the references included that I can see are for Saturday and Sunday - closing Kapiolani and Atkinson in both directions during the week will be something to see! Course if there is another late south swell I will go down (by bicycle) and watch the Coast Guard and HPD try to catch the surfers - this could be very entertaining!!

on October 20,2011 | 04:37PM

CriticalReader wrote:

Is there any way to cancel APEC? I mean, we've already gotten all the benefit we in Hawaii are going to out of it (new HPD security cameras). It's not like these people will be going into the Mom and Pop stores, or buying real estate during their stay, or even eating much in locally owned restaurants. They're going to be insulated from the Hawaii public in mainland owned and operated hotels that send profits and revenues back to the mainland, which are staffed by employees who will be there anyway and who get no bump up in pay just because APEC is here.

on October 20,2011 | 04:44PM

Anonymous wrote:

One more thing. Aren't you glad Jeremy Harris isn't either the mayor or an elected official as APEC descends on us? Can you imagine the grandstanding we'd all have to endure?

on October 20,2011 | 04:45PM

Vivgie wrote:

Gonna happen only once. Great for international exposure just like when Bama Brah vacations here and when Hawaii 5-0 plays on TV. Be glad you no live DC.

on October 20,2011 | 06:40PM

olos73 wrote:

Oahu residents should stay home the time APEC is here. No shopping, no eating at restaurants, no riding the Bus. See how much money the City and businesses going lose because of all the inconveniences. Let the 20,000 anticipated visitors make up the difference. If the businesses in Waikiki think they going make money, think again. Limited parking, traffic rerouting, beach closures. Forget it. No way me or my family going to that area. Our money staying home with us. Tourism commission only going see APEC people and tourists already in Waikiki. Locals going avoid Waikiki.

on October 20,2011 | 07:43PM

olos73 wrote:

Surprising they didn't close down Punchbowl for Veteran's Day. Maybe they forgot about that day...

on October 20,2011 | 07:47PM

Oahu1234 wrote:

I drive down Atkinson to Kapiolani every morning to drop off kids at school. This is totally gonna be a nightmare! Maybe they should cancel schools in that area because of this?

on October 20,2011 | 08:07PM

Anonymous wrote:

on October 20,2011 | 09:17PM

fishguy wrote:

Glad I'm on vacation that week. :)

on October 20,2011 | 10:09PM

copperwire9 wrote:

Ala Moana Blvd., Kalakaua, H1? Good lord!!! Maybe they should ship all of us mere mortals off the island for a week, since we won't be allowed to go anywhere while we're hosting this event devoted to 'cooperation.'

on October 20,2011 | 11:08PM