State and city officials are prepping for the World Conservation Congress scheduled to land on Oahu’s shores Sept. 1, and they’re advising Honolulu residents to do the same.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature will hold its quadrennial World Conservation Congress from Sept. 1 to 10 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. It’s the first time the 68-year-old Swiss-based group, which dubs itself “the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network,” will hold its gathering in the United States.
While the conference is expected to bring 8,000 to 10,000 attendees and their families, government officials are also advising Honolulu residents that it likely will bring with it security and traffic measures that might pose inconveniences to local residents — motorists and parkgoers in particular — during the 10 days.
At a news conference Tuesday, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said it makes sense for the gathering to take place here. “We lead the nation in terms of our concerns, and we hope that this will be a real showcase to the rest of the world as this conference goes forth,” Caldwell said.
The following closures and changes will occur during the conference:
>> Parking as well as pedestrian access will be severely restricted Sept. 1 at Blaisdell Center, where the opening ceremonies will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Traffic on South King Street, Ward Avenue and Kapiolani Boulevard might also be affected.
>> Ala Moana Park’s McCoy Pavilion and the “keyhole” parking lot Ewa of the structure will become a staging area for public-safety agencies, and will be closed to the public during the entire conference.
>> Magic Island will be closed to the public Sept. 1 only and used for shuttling attendees to and from Blaisdell Center.
>> Lanes of Atkinson Drive and Kapiolani Boulevard around the convention center will be affected during the entire conference.
>> The Ala Wai Promenade, between Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue, will be closed to the public, as will part of the Ala Wai Canal itself.
>> Ala Wai Community Park will be inaccessible and used as a staging area for first responders.
HPD Assistant Chief Clayton Kau said the Ala Wai Promenade is being set aside as a free-speech zone for those who want to rally and protest, although they won’t necessarily be confined to that area. “We’ll work with any protest group that arrives on scene,” he said.
GETTING READY
City officials will be giving presentations on traffic and other impacts caused by security for the World Conservation Congress:
>> McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Washington Middle School
>> Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board, 6:30 p.m. July 21, Makiki District Park
>> Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board, 7 p.m. July 26, Makiki Christian Church
>> Waikiki Neighborhood Board, 7 p.m. Aug. 9, Waikiki Community Center
