Public input sought on proposed changes to busy Honolulu thoroughfare

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The city is looking for more feedback on a proposal to turn a busy Honolulu thoroughfare from a four-lane street into a two-lane street in effort to improve traffic safety in the area.

That’s the ‘Complete Streets’ plan for Keeaumoku Street, which was presented Thursday night at its second community meeting.

By eliminating one driving lane on each side, the city said it would make more room for more protected bike paths, pedestrians and traffic calming measures.

The design proposal also includes extending curbs and adding pedestrian islands in the middle of the road where people could board public transportation.

The key thoroughfare connects the Makiki neighborhood with the urban Ala Moana district.

The city considers Keeaumoku a high-crash area with about 300 collisions in a 10 year period from Kapiolani Boulevard to Wilder avenue.

And officials say the area’s growing population poses a critical need for change.

“With the addition of 1000s of new housing units, it is really critical at this point that we improve our transportation choices for this district,” said Complete Streets Administrator Renee Espiau.

Worst case scenario would be to increase housing and not improve the way people can get around, Espiau added.

For more information on the Keeaumoku Complete Streets project or to give feedback on the proposal, click here.

Copyright 2023 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.