Road and rail work need not drive you crazy

It will take more than patience and flexibility for motorists to cope with the traffic jams caused by improvement projects and rail construction along Oahu’s roadways. Planning ahead is important to avoid the most congested routes, and the state Department of Transportation has done a good job of letting people know which roads will be closed, and when.

But the department also must be responsive to the community, especially at the worst trouble spots. That might mean closing fewer lanes, assigning more people to direct traffic, or, as the DOT has done this week, postponing previously announced work altogether.

With roadwork this widespread, active management of traffic flow, and patience and flexibility on the DOT’s part, are required.

Follow our Polynesian voyaging vessels on the Web

The Hokule‘a and its companion vessel, Hikianalia, are at sea at last, on their global goodwill journey. So far, most of the attention is coming from the hometown crowd. Just scanning a few of the search engines for stories about the Polynesian voyaging vessels, mostly the headlines are circulating here in Hawaii. Exceptions include CBS, the Huffington Post and a few Canadian media sites.

Among the many marks of success for the Polynesian Voyaging Society in the coming months and years will be an increased awareness of Hawaii, its maritime traditions and the sustainability culture of ancient Hawaii. So watch the Web for signs that education is happening.