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Hate getting stuck in Honolulu traffic snarls? You’ll want to figure out how to avoid the Hawai‘i Convention Center and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center as they become hot spots for the World Conservation Congress, which gets underway this week.
Opening ceremonies for the 10-day conference of the International Union for Conservation of Nature — the highest-profile international meeting to be held in Hawaii since the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum — will be held Thursday.
President Barack Obama will be arriving Wednesday evening in advance of the conference to announce the historic expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which will make it the world’s largest protected marine environment. The president is slated to depart Friday for Hangzhou, China.
By Thursday, roughly 8,000 delegates representing some 170 countries, including Cuba and North Korea, will be in Honolulu. In addition, an estimated 2,000 visitors tied to the delegates — support staff, friends and family — as well as registered journalists are expected.
Heightened security will be in force, said Randall Tanaka, executive director of the WCC National Host Committee.
Among the confirmed government leaders are: Prince Albert II of Monaco; President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands; President Tommy Remengesau Jr. of the Republic of Palau; President Edouard Fritch of French Polynesia; and Principal Head Afega Gaualofa of Tokelau. Jane Goodall, whose research has shaped current understanding of chimpanzees, is among the celebrated conservationists slated to take part in the conference.
About 300 Honolulu police officers are ready to work with security partners, police Maj. Ryan Borges said during a briefing at the Waikiki Neighborhood Board earlier this month. The city, which estimates that it will spend between $3 million and $4 million on conference security, also plans to clean up the area around event venues, including enforcement of laws aimed at the homeless.
“The city continues its routine store property ordinance and sidewalk nuisance ordinance enforcement around Oahu, and service workers continue their outreach to those who will accept help,” said city spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke.
In addition to traffic disruption during the event, there will be bus stop relocations and closures of parks, parking lots and sidewalks, and other security measures.
Various security closures will be put in place Tuesday night and continue through Sept. 10. Among the biggest impacts will be restrictions around Blaisdell Center, starting Wednesday and wrapping up Thursday. There also will be disruptions near the convention center, which is serving as the main site.
In a news release, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said: “Mahalo to drivers for their patience during the conference. Please avoid the area around the Blaisdell Center Wednesday and Thursday as traffic backups are expected.”
He continued, “The island of Oahu will be impacted by climate change and sea level rise in the coming decades, and having world experts on conservation here with our Oahu-born-and-raised President Barack Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community.”
The WCC conference will generate less traffic congestion than the APEC summit did in 2011 when it brought heads of state from member nations to Hawaii. That’s because the WCC is a lower-profile event in that it attracts more conservation heavy hitters than world leaders, Tanaka said. It’s also because the WCC’s green-minded delegates have made a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint by walking or cycling to as many events as possible, he said.
However, thousands of attendees are expected to be shuttled to Thursday morning’s opening ceremonies at the Blaisdell Center, where on-site parking will not be permitted due to heightened security. Shuttle transfers are available from the convention center to the Blaisdell Center, 6 to 8:30 a.m.
“The inconvenience is mostly a one-day deal, the morning of Sept. 1,” Tanaka said. “Our group will be going out of Waikiki when everyone else is going in. You’ll be in good shape if you can avoid the Blaisdell area.”
Opening ceremony attendees will not be allowed to bring bags of any size or any large cameras or similar items. Attendees may bring cellphones, small cameras and camcorders, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, umbrellas, jackets, sweaters, small wallets and medication. Those with surgically implanted metal items are advised to tell security guards in advance, and carry ID cards from their doctors.
Security is expected to be less rigorous at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Its exhibit hall will be open to the general public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for several days, starting Friday.
WCC attendees and nonregistered visitors will be required to go through security clearance, which could involve metal detectors. All bags and containers will be searched. Any items possessed in violation of state or federal law will be turned over to law enforcement, and those in possession denied entry. The center prohibits firearms, weapons, alcohol and illegal drugs.
“The lighter you come, the better. T-shirts, shorts and rubber slippers are fine. It’s all going to be casual and aloha attire,” Tanaka said.
MAKE WAY FOR THE WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
CLOSURES
>> Thursday-Sept. 10: The Ala Wai Promenade and Ala Wai Canal between Kalakaua Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard will be closed to pedestrian and marine activity.
>> Thursday-Sept. 10: McCoy Pavilion and the keyhole parking area at Ala Moana Regional Park will be closed. The Ala Wai Community Park building and parking lot also will be closed. Ala Wai Park and baseball field will remain open.
>> Thursday: The Magic Island parking lot and green space will be closed.
Traffic disruptions
>> Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Traffic-control devices will be installed on Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue. When completed, all Ewa-bound lanes of Kapiolani Boulevard between Kamakee Street and Ward Avenue, the nearby mauka sidewalk and the Diamond Head sidewalk will be closed through Friday.
>> Wednesday, 9 a.m.: Installation of French barricades along Ward Avenue and King Street. Sidewalks along King Street and Ward Avenue fronting the Blaisdell will be closed.
>> Thursday: No morning contra-flow on Ward Avenue.
ROAD CLOSURES
Thursday, 2:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
>> Victoria Street: closed between Beretania and King streets.
>> Victoria Street: makai-bound between Kinau and Beretania streets. Must turn right onto Beretania.
>> Young Street: between Victoria and Pensacola streets, local traffic only.
>> Ward Avenue: all mauka-bound lanes between Kapiolani Boulevard and King Street.
>> King Street: the makai curb lane between Ward Avenue and McKinley High School driveway.
>> Atkinson Drive: mauka-bound curb lane between Mahukona Street and Kapiolani Boulevard.
>> Kapiolani Boulevard: Diamond Head-bound curb lane between Atkinson Drive and Kalakaua Avenue.
>> Kalakaua Avenue: makai-bound curb lane between Kapiolani Boulevard and Ala Wai Canal Bridge.
Thursday-Friday, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
>> Removal of all traffic-control devices along Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue, as well as reopening of pedestrian walkways.
Neal S. Blaisdell Center restrictions:
Parking restricted on Wednesday and Thursday for the IUCN World Conservation Congress opening ceremony.
>> Tuesday: Kapiolani entrance will be closed. Daily and monthly parkers enter via King Street entrance.
>> Wednesday-Thursday: no monthly and daily parking
>> Wednesday-Thursday: main Blaisdell box office will be relocated to the Waikiki Shell box office, which will be open for business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
>> Thursday: Neal S. Blaisdell administrative office will be closed for walk-in business, including surf locker payments. For further assistance call 768-5400.
TheBus route changes
The following bus stops will be relocated Tuesday at 10 p.m. to Friday at 3:30 p.m.:
>> Stop No. 431: Kapiolani Boulevard, mauka side, across/far-side Kamakee Street will be closed and relocated to across/near-side Kamakee Street.
>> Stop No. 433: Kapiolani Boulevard, mauka side, near-side Ward Avenue will be closed and relocate to far-side Ward Avenue.
>> Stop No. 135: King Street, far-side Ward Avenue fronting Blaisdell Concert Hall will be closed and riders directed to use stop No. 133, King Street, near-side Cooke Street or stop No. 137, King Street, near-side Pensacola Street.
Residents and visitors may sign up for Nixle email and text messages at nixle.com to receive traffic advisories and other important information during the World Conservation Congress.
Security updates will be posted to the Department of Emergency Management website at oahudem.org as they become available.
Source: City and County of Honolulu
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