The Makai Area Plan includes provisions for different modes of transportation designed to move people and goods safely and efficiently, and to service the demands of the proposed land use activities.  The transportation system includes improvements for cars and public transportation, bicycles and pedestrians.  In general there is an emphasis on pedestrian movement through the area, in keeping with the waterfront as a people-oriented place.

3.1 Roads

Roadway improvements include upgrading existing roads and constructing new roads to meet or exceed City and County standards.  Proposed vehicular circulation is illustrated in Figure III-1, and roadway dimensions are presented in Table III-1.  The identified rights-of-way have been analyzed and determined to be sufficient to accommodate anticipated traffic generated by the ultimate development of the Makai Area.
 
Ilalo Street

Ilalo Street is proposed as the principal collector street for the Makai Area.  Two extensions are required to connect with Ilalo Street to create a through street.  The west extension begins at the present Punchbowl Street-Ala Moana Boulevard intersection, and connects to the existing Keawe Street-Ilalo Street intersection.   The right-of-way will continue along Ilalo Street and connect to the east extension at Ahui Street.  The east extension will run through the existing State Office Building parking lot curving up to connect at the Ward Avenue-Ala Moana Boulevard intersection.

Ala Moana Boulevard
 
Ala Moana Boulevard provides the primary regional access to Kakaako.  Currently, there are seven lanes of traffic, including six through lanes and a central left turn lane.  The State Department of Transportation (DOT) has identified Ala Moana Boulevard as a major component of its proposed "Honolulu Makai Bikeway", which will ultimately involve the development of bike lanes along the roadway.  Other proposed improvements include minor realignments and intersection improvements to provide for additional turning lanes.  These improvements are expected to occur in conjunction with adjacent redevelopment activities.
 

Street                                     Traffic Lanes        Minimum Curb-Curb*      Minimum R-O-W
                                                                                    (feet)                                (feet)

Ala Moana Boulevard                     6                                                                     100
Ilalo Street                                      5                           54-59                                  94
Kelikoi Street                           CLOSED
Olomehani Street                            2                              24                                     50
South Street                                   2                              24                                     50
Keawe Street                                 2                              24                                     50
Coral Street                                   2                               24                                    50
Cooke Street                                 2                               44                                    66
Koula Street                                  2                               24                                    50
Ohe Street (between Ilalo Street and
      Kakaako Waterfront Park)              2                               24                                    50
Ahui Street                                    2                               24                                    50

* Except at intersections which shall be designed with adequate turning lanes.
 

Side Streets (Ahui, Koula, Coral, Cooke, Keawe, and South Streets)

Ahui, Coral, Cooke, Koula and Keawe Streets will remain open for traffic use, and South Street will be extended makai along its present alignment.  These streets will provide one through-lane in each direction and where appropriate, curb parking.  Ohe Street is proposed to be closed between Ala Moana Boulevard and Ilalo Street.

3.2 Parking

Parking demand projections in the Makai Area are based on office use, as well as use of the parks and retail commercial projects.  The parking demand will be accommodated by a combination of on-street, surface lot, and off-street parking facilities.  The off-street parking will be developed in conjunction with each project, and is estimated to include 10,800 spaces after all phases are completed.  This parking will serve each project, with portions accessible to the general public.  Parking requirements are established in the Makai Area Rules.  Whereas there are standard formulas for the required number of parking spaces for commercial use, parking demand for park use is difficult to determine.  Currently, the Kakaako Waterfront Park has 300 spaces, which is ample.  It is anticipated, however, that the development of the cultural facilities within the park will increase parking demand.  This increased demand is expected to be met by surface parking lots in the park, off-street parking facilities and on-street parking along Makai Area streets.  Together these locations are anticipated to provide a total of 1,000 spaces.

 3.3 Public Transportation

Public transportation will be provided primarily by the City bus system (TheBus) (Figure III-2).  At present TheBus serves the general area with routes along Ala Moana Boulevard, Ward Avenue and Punchbowl Street.  The new development within the Makai Area could add approximately 2,200 passenger boardings and alightings to the routes serving this area.  TheBus routes along Ala Moana Boulevard may be able to accommodate such increased level without adding capacity specifically for this area, as there currently is ample, unused capacity along the Kakaako segment.  In the future, there may be a need for a new route along Ilalo Street.  For new routes, shelters and benches will be required at all bus stops.

Rail transit has been proposed for Honolulu and, although development in the near future is uncertain, future development remains a possibility.  City plans for alternate alignments through Kakaako include Halekauwila Street with stations at South and Ahui Streets, and Pohukaina Street with stations at South Street and Ward Avenue.  With these alignments, passengers destined for the Makai Area would be required to walk several blocks, with the mauka/makai promenade as the major pedestrian connection, along with Ward Avenue and South Street.

In addition to TheBus and the proposed rapid transit system, long-range plans for public transportation include the potential provision of a shuttle service that would connect the Makai Area with the Kakaako Mauka Area, downtown Honolulu and Aloha Tower.

3.4 Bikeways

An important objective of the Plan is to increase non-vehicular access to the Makai Area from Downtown, Ala Moana Park and the Mauka Area.  The planned bicycle system within the Makai Area was designed in conjunction with the "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities" (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, August 1991), "Bike Plan Hawaii" (DOT) and bikeway standards established by the City and County Department of Transportation Services.

The bicycle facilities are based on DOT's hierarchical system with: "bike lanes" as striped lanes for the exclusive use of bicycles;  "bike routes" as widened roadways which are shared by bicycles and automobiles; and "bike paths" which are separate paths for the use of bicycles.  Plans include a facility that will transport bicyclists in the mauka-makai direction along Keawe and Cooke Streets to the Kakaako Waterfront Park.  In the east-west direction, the bikeway will traverse along the waterfront promenade at Kakaako Waterfront Park and Kewalo Basin.  The bikeway will connect to Ala Moana Park at the east end of Kewalo Basin.  DOT has planned a regional bikeway network that designates a bike lane along Ala Moana Boulevard (Figure III-3).
   To encourage use of bicycles, bicycle racks, bicycle storage areas, and other bike accessories shall be provided within development projects.  These facilities will be located in accessible areas which are well-lit and secure.

3.5 Pedestrianways

An outstanding pedestrian environment throughout the Makai Area is a major objective of the Plan and provisions include several different types of pedestrianways.  Pedestrian promenades are the most prominent features and include the waterfront promenade and the mauka-makai promenade along Cooke Street (Figure III-4).  Also important is Ilalo Street, which is envisioned as a strolling and shopping street.

Waterfront Promenade

The waterfront promenade began with a small segment along the ocean at Kewalo Basin and now includes a 1/4-mile stretch along the water at Kakaako Waterfront Park.  This pedestrianway offers splendid views to the ocean, Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki, and the Ewa coast of the island.  The waterfront promenade also provides for a variety of activities such as roller-blading, picnics and fishing.

Mauka-Makai Promenade

Originally envisioned as a small extension of park across Ala Moana Boulevard, the mauka-makai promenade strengthens the original concept with a landscaped pedestrianway that links the Kakaako Waterfront Park with Mother Waldron Playground.  With the support of adjacent landowners, this urban design element will form a linear spine, promoting the reintegration of the City and waterfront.  The promenade will be created by increasing the building setback requirement on the Ewa side of Cooke Street, with a commensurate building setback reduction on the Diamond Head side of Coral Street.

Ilalo Street

The Ilalo Street pedestrianway runs in the Ewa-Diamond Head direction, and is designed to be a major strolling and shopping street.  Defined by harbors at both ends, the pedestrian environment is envisioned to be outstanding, with closely spaced, large shade trees, generous sidewalks and carefully designed street furnishings.  Retail areas on the ground level will provide visual interest as well as merchandise, and will form a consistent edge in the manner of outstanding retail streets in many other urban areas.

Side Street Environments

In contrast to the wide street and sidewalks along Ilalo Street, the side streets and sidewalks will be narrow in width.  Street trees will provide shade for pedestrians and adjacent yard plantings, along with street
  lights and furnishings, will ensure that these streets are attractive pedestrianways.

3.6 Land Acquisitions

In order to implement the Plan, the acquisition of limited amounts of additional land within the Makai Area is expected.  Ohe Street (between Ala Moana Boulevard and Ilalo Street) is proposed to be closed.  Ilalo Street will require significant widening but the expansion will require minimal land acquisition as the adjacent land is owned by the State.  With the exception of Ala Moana Boulevard, all improved roads are expected to be owned and maintained by the City and County of Honolulu.