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APEC security focus will shift to Ko Olina; Waikiki traffic light

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PHOTO BY CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL/CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
CTY SECURITY - 12 NOVEMBER 2011- Newlyweds Danielle and Montie Melton waited to cross Kuhio Ave. as Hawaii Army National Guard Sgt. Phillip Cole maintained traffic control on Lewers St. on Saturday afternoon. The Meltons had officially wed on November, 11, but were dressed for their formal wedding portraits on Saturday. The couple had to walk down Lewers St. in order to reach their limousine which was unable to pick them up directly because of the heightened APEC security measures. Also pictured was the maid of honor Michelle London with the couple's 14 month girl, Lillian. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell
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PHOTO BY CRAIG GIMA/CGIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
A road block set up in front of the Hawaii Prince hotel restricts access into Waikiki from Ala Moana Boulevard.
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PHOTO BY CRAIG GIMA/CGIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Motorists avoided Ala Moana Boulevard going into Waikiki this morning after a security checkpoint went up near the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

New security restrictions are going up around Ko Olina tonight, where world leaders are gathering Sunday for the Asia-Pacific Economic?Cooperation summit.

Meanwhile, motorists seem to be adjusting to the strict security zone that runs from the Hawaii Prince to the Sheraton Waikiki hotels.

Traffic on Ala Moana Boulevard, Kalakaua Avenue and McCully Street was light this morning.

"There appears to be fewer cars on the road today than yesterday — I think a lot of folks are just staying away," said John Cummings, a spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Management.

Cummings said it took 2 hours for cars to get into Waikiki Friday night.

All vehicles passing through Ala Moana near the Hawaii Prince Hotel are being diverted into a checkpoint at the?Ala Wai Boat Harbor, where drivers are questioned and bomb-sniffing dogs check for explosives. The city is urging residents to use Kapahulu Boulevard to get into Waikiki.

Kalakaua Avenue between Ala Moana and Saratoga Road is restricted to APEC traffic only.

The Secret Service plan for security calls for most of the traffic and security restrictions in Waikiki to be lifted at about midnight tonight, after a dinner hosted by President Barack Obama at the Hale Koa hotel. But security may still be tight around the individual hotels where leaders are staying.

"We’re going to try to return the roads back to normal as quickly as possible," said Max Milien, spokesman for U.S. Secret Service. However, a security check point at Hobron Lane & Ala Moana Boulevard near The Modern Honolulu will remain, he said.

The security focus will shift to Ko Olina late tonight. Security checkpoints will go up near the Marriott hotel in Ko Olina starting at about 11 p.m. Access to the security zone around the hotel will be restricted to residents and owners and employees of local businesses and government identification, such as a drivers license or passport, will be required to get access to the area.

Traffic will be restricted on the Waianae Ko Olina Exit ramp from Farrington Highway from 12:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday.

Parking restrictions on Olani Street, Aliinui Drive, Koio Drive and Kamoana Place begin today and bus service is also affected.

Motorists may also see temporary freeway closures between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday as leaders travel between Waikiki and Ko Olina. Residents are advised to adjust travel times or use alternate routes.

Security restrictions remain in effect for the area around the Hawai’i Convention Center. But Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Drive is open to traffic, except for the barriers immediately around the convention center, today.

The security zone in Waikiki includes the Hale Koa, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hawaii Prince, Modern Waikiki and Sheraton Waikiki hotels.

Travel on Kalakaua Avenue between Ala Moana Boulevard and Saratoga Road is restricted access to APEC traffic only.

Lanes are open for the public from Ala Moana Boulevard to the Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues split and traffic going into Waikiki is being diverted to Kuhio Avenue.

East-bound lanes of Saratoga Avenue and all of Kalia Road between Ala Moana Boulevard and Saratoga Road are for APEC traffic only.

The public can access to Saratoga Road, Beachwalk Road and Kalia Road at Lewers Street between Helumoa Road and Kalia Road. Lewers Street is running makai, against the normal traffic pattern, from Kuhio Avenue to Kalakaua Avenue. Beachwalk Road traffic runs mauka only, also against the normal traffic pattern. 

Bus service is being routed around the security zones.

The Ala Wai Boat Harbor and ocean waters off the Hilton and Fort DeRussy beach are also closed through late tonight.

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