Question: What is the status of the Leeward Bikeway?
Answer: The state Department of Transportation says the project to extend the existing Pearl Harbor Historic Trail (aka the Pearl Harbor Bike Path) is proceeding through “process requirements,” but it is still far from being built.
As now envisioned, the bikeway will stretch more than 12 miles from the end of the existing bike path to Lualualei Naval Road in Nanakuli. It is meant to offer an alternate transportation route, as well as a new recreational area.
In May 2014, the DOT told Kokua Line it was following up with those who voiced concerns about how the project would affect properties with cultural, religious or historical significance along the route. (See bit.ly/1F66vnP.)
Since then, “there has been significant advancement of the project process requirements,” the spokesman said.
Design for the project is nearly complete and an architectural inventory survey of bridges along the route, which is necessary to assess any historic values before construction can begin, is being reviewed by the DOT.
After the DOT completes its review, the Federal Highway Administration and the State Historic Preservation Division also will review and comment on the project, with the DOT addressing any preservation concerns.
The project is anticipated to be advertised for bids before the end of this year, the spokesman said.
Phase I of the Leeward Bikeway is projected to run 4.2 miles from the Hawaiian Railway Society Station in Ewa eastward to near Waipio Point Access Road, where it will join the existing Pearl Harbor Historic Trail. It is expected to cost $7 million to $8 million to construct.
The bikeway will be 10 feet wide in most areas with 2-foot unpaved shoulders.
Phase II of the bikeway will be approximately 8 miles long, extending from the railway station to Kahe Point, then northward to Lualualei Naval Road.
Question: I recall reading in the Star-Advertiser that the Legislature was considering passing a law that would make residential homes legal ohanas, as one remedy for the housing shortage in the islands. Is that now legal?
Answer: It is the Honolulu City Council, not the state Legislature that is considering two bills — Bill 20, introduced by the Caldwell administration, and Bill 21, by Councilman Ron Menor — relating to “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs.
Both bills are still alive in the Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee.
Bill 20 would allow second dwellings — ADUs — between 400 and 800 square feet in size on residential lots with a minimum 3,500 square feet and would require one off-street parking space for each ADU. Bill 21 would allow ADUs with no size limit on residential lots 5,000 square feet or greater or on agricultural/country lots, with one or two off-street parking stalls, depending on the number of bedrooms.
You can check on these two bills, as well as other pending bills, online at www.honolulu.gov/council.html.
Click on “look up bills.”
Mahalo
To La Tour Cafe in Pearl City for keeping my wallet safe. I went there to buy some bread and macarons and didn’t realize I didn’t have it until the next day. I called the cafe and after checking with other workers, an employee told me there was no wallet. Before canceling all my credit cards, I called again and was so happy when the manager told me they did have my wallet. That saved me a lot of time and anxiety in replacing my driver’s license and credit cards. — Myrna Feliciano
Mahalo
To the honest person who turned in my wallet to the cashier at the Golden Duck Restaurant. After enjoying a delicious dinner there one Sunday, we went to Safeway where I discovered I didn’t have my wallet. We went back to the restaurant and the waiter told me a customer found my wallet in the parking lot and turned it in. — Happy Golden Duck Customer
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.
