Question: I really like the new four-lane striping on the H-1 freeway near the Vineyard Boulevard offramp, but I see a problem there. In the Ewa direction, some people get in the extreme right lane and drive all the way until just before the Pali exit, then slow down or even stop, trying to merge back to the left and continue on H-1.
This backs up traffic going to the Pali and in several cases I saw near-collisions. Between the Vineyard and Pali offramps, is it possible to have solid striping to prevent merging left in that area?
Question: The Punahou offramp seems to be very congested since the DOT
restriped the lanes. When is the DOT going to make adjustments? Since school started, it seems to be horrendous every morning as folks are trying to get to UH, Manoa or Punahou. Now they merge and have to go over a lane.
Answer: These are just two of several observations/complaints we’ve received about the state
Department of Transportation’s attempt to ease congestion on the H-1 freeway by creating four lanes out of three, in both directions, between Punahou Street and Pali Highway.
We passed on all the comments and concerns to the DOT, which says it is monitoring the effects of the restriping demonstration project and is not planning any immediate changes.
The public is asked to send comments to dotpao@hawaii.gov, the public affairs office, which will forward them to the Highways Division.
The $200,000 project, which began in June, will be monitored for a year.
Question: Why is there no website that lists scheduled/current road closures for the city? The Department of Transportation Services’ website links to a city roadwork page under “Traffic Info,” but the “weekly report” hasn’t been updated since April! It’s extremely difficult to plan your commute if you don’t know how long a particular area will be undergoing roadwork. Traffic on Kapiolani Boulevard is so heavy between South Street and Ward Avenue. What is being dug up on the makai side of the street? (Combination of two complaints.)
Answer: The Department of Transportation Services’ website is the logical place to look for roadwork information, but it’s actually posted on the city’s homepage — www.honolulu.gov — under “news releases.”
We did point out to DTS that it had outdated information on its website — www1.honolulu.gov/dts/traffic.htm — about city roadwork, although it has a current link to work on state roadways.
Meanwhile, you might want to avoid Kapiolani, between South Street and Ward Avenue, for the next few months. The “Kapiolani Boulevard Reconstruction” project is expected to continue until June.
The work involves reconstructing/constructing bus lanes in both directions; reconstructing curbs and gutters; resetting and installing rock curbs; installing new street lighting and traffic signals; and trimming trees and pruning tree roots “as necessary.”
Mahalo
To the woman who paid for my 97-year-old father’s two cans of Vienna sausage at the Kaimuki Longs Drugs. He went to buy a case of Vienna sausage that was on sale, but while standing in line realized, to his embarrassment, that he did not have sufficient cash. He put the case back and picked up two cans, which he did have enough cash to buy, but was informed by the cashier that you had paid for him. He tried to flag you down outside, but you just waved and drove off.
When he came home, he told me what happened and was deeply touched by your kindness. Your action shows the aloha spirit is still alive and well in Hawaii.
I want to thank you, wish you good fortune, and let you know your thoughtfulness has inspired me to take similar action when the opportunity arises. — A Grateful Son
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
