Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Studies Road Issues

Roads and related topics generated plenty of attention during the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board’s October meeting. Here are highlights:

Kahekili Highway:  Board members Mahealani Cypher and Dennis Sanada will study a proposal to widen the Kahekili Highway north of Haiku Road. Traffic congestion is a longstanding problem on that stretch of highway. Ms. Cypher said widening the highway to carry more traffic might be in conflict with the Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan, which seeks to limit development along the Windward Coast past Kaneohe. A city representative said plans for the road remain under review. The representative said one option is to use a contraflow approach, in which one lane carries traffic in different directions depending on the time of day. The contraflow lane would run from Haiku Road to Hui Iwa Street at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Pahia Road Crosswalk: The Board learned that the city has hired a consultant to design pedestrian-crossing signals for the crosswalk at Pahia Road on Kamehameha Highway. The crosswalk has been the site of four pedestrian deaths in recent years. The city is using federal funds to improve this crosswalk and six others, at an estimated cost of $300,000 to $350,000. Construction is expected to occur in 2017. Board member Deborah Collins urged that the Pahia Road crosswalk be the first of the projects completed.

Bus Stop Removal: The Board took no action on a homeowner’s request for the Board to recommend removing a bus stop in front of 45-329 Mealele Street. However, Board Chairman Mo Radke said the Board can discuss the topic at its November 3 planning meeting. The homeowner said she no longer allows her young children to play in the front yard because strangers sit on her front wall while waiting for the bus. She also said the bus stop prevents her guests from parking in the grassy area in front of the wall. She said removing the stop would not inconvenience riders because there are two others a short distance away.

Cut-Through Streets: The Board learned that the city is looking at ways to reduce the impact of cars cutting through neighborhoods to get from the Likelike Highway to the Kamehameha Highway. A resident said a high volume of cars using Anoi Road and Luluku Road causes traffic backups at lights on the two highways.

What's Next: Next up for the Board will be its monthly planning meeting, Tuesday, November 3, at 7 p.m. at the Kaneohe Community and Senior Center, 45-613 Puohala Street. The Board will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, November 19, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, 45-259 Waikalua Road, Kaneohe.