Pearl Harbor events to snarl traffic

Honolulu police say traffic will rise to “nightmare” levels for parts of the upcoming Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary commemoration, consisting of about 54 events slated for Dec. 1-10.

Police said Pearl City, Aiea and Waikiki drivers will bear the brunt, with most disruptions occurring on Dec. 5 and Dec. 7. The National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration, set for Dec. 7 from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. at Kilo Pier on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, likely will cause the most snarls.

“We are expecting over 4,000 people,” said Honolulu Police Department Assistant Chief Clayton Kau. “At the same time, another 5,000 shipyard people have to get to work.”

Kau said roadway modifications will occur along Kamehameha Highway on Dec. 7 and there will be traffic closures from Honomanu Street to Center Drive.

“If you don’t need to be in that area, please don’t,” said Capt. Gerald Kaneshiro, HPD major events division. “We need to facilitate getting people onto base in their personal cars or shuttle buses. It’s going to be a traffic nightmare.”

Jeanne Ishikawa, deputy director of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said those who plan on going to Pearl Harbor should start early and check traffic notices. Public parking will open at 4 a.m. at Aloha Stadium to the first 2,000 people, Ishikawa said. Drivers must enter Aloha Stadium through Gates 3 and 4, located off Salt Lake Boulevard, westbound. Shuttle buses will run from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

“All of this is occurring during the peak morning traffic hour,” said Ishikawa, who also serves on the commemoration planning committee. “Please be aware of the traffic situation and stay out of the area if possible.”

Strict security measures will be enforced at the Kilo Pier event. Attendees must have a valid photo ID and are not allowed to bring “handbags, purses, camera bags or other items that offer concealment,” according to event organizers.

Ishikawa said that those who wish to see the event but don’t need to be there can watch the ceremony on live stream online, in Waikiki at the Sunset on the Beach screens, or at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center theaters from 7 to 9:30 a.m. She said the event also will be live-streamed at Times Square in New York City and several other mainland locations.

Waikiki traffic disruptions will accompany the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, planned for Dec. 7 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. It begins at Fort DeRussy, proceeds down Kalakaua Avenue, and ends at Kapiolani Park. Gary Sinise, who played Lt. Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” will serve as grand marshal.

“We are expecting a lot of tourists. There are also about 2,000 band members — kids from the U.S. mainland,” Kau said.

Waikiki also will be busy for Sunset on the Beach movie showings taking place from 5 to 9:45 p.m. Dec. 2-6 and Dec. 8-9. Police said parts of Kalakaua Avenue will be closed by cones or barricades. Large crowds are anticipated for Dec. 5, when Sinise and his band will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., just prior to a Sunset on the Beach showing of “From Here to Eternity.”

“We’re expecting 5,000 to 10,000 people for the Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band concert,” said HPD’s Kaneshiro. “We’ll have road closures and modifications similar to the ‘Hawaii Five-0’ premiere set-ups.”

Kaneshiro said Kapiolani Park parking will not be open for Sunset on the Beach.

The White House has not confirmed that President Barack Obama will attend the ceremonies.

To sign up for public notifications, go to nixle.com. Traffic maps will be posted prior to the events at Honolulu.gov/dem.