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Massive rush-hour traffic delays expected with Trump in Waikiki

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mayor Kirk Caldwell holds a memo today encouraging city employees to take vacation leave or compensatory time off Friday because of traffic related to President Donald Trump’s visit.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mayor Kirk Caldwell speaks at a press conference this afternoon to advise the public of the traffic closures related to President Donald Trump’s visit to Oahu this Friday.

City and state officials warned residents and visitors to expect massive rush-hour traffic delays Friday and possibly Saturday during President Donald Trump’s visit to Oahu.

With Trump expected to use the H1 freeway starting at 2 p.m. and to visit Waikiki, the Honolulu Police Department is bringing on hundreds of extra officers to provide security and shut down presidential motorcade routes.

At least three anti-Trump protests are expected, including a march from Ala Moana to Thomas Square, officials said.

“We’re asking residents and visitors, to some extent, to avoid these areas if possible. Otherwise you could be stuck in these areas for a very, very long period of time,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told a press conference.

Caldwell said the city is asking its 10,000 employees to be aware of the delays and is authorizing vacation for Friday for any worker who wants to take it.

“We’re doing this out of an abundance of caution,” the mayor said.

Information about the visit remains fuzzy for security reasons, but Clyde Ho, assistant police chief, said people should expect eastbound routes along the H1 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam to Waikiki to be shut down generally between 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastbound road closures in Waikiki may also happen from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Plans could also change with other routes affected as well, Ho added.

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