Waikiki residents, businesses and city officials have expressed their joint concern about the increased amount of traffic in the neighborhood that has come about from the dramatically improved visitor industry over the last few years. While thankful for the improving economic conditions, everyone seems to agree that there needs to be significant improvement on traffic flow as well as making the community more accessible for bikers and pedestrians. One big area of concern is the growing number of large passenger vehicles, including buses and trolleys, which often block lanes of traffic as they load and unload passengers. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell stated, "I've had multiple meetings with the visitor industry and I have to tell you that the issue of trolleys and charter buses came up fairly quickly. Anyone that drives through Waikiki when they go to an event will very quickly see multiple trolleys and charter buses pulling over with their okoles (rear end) sticking out. On a busy Friday night, there's massive congestion."
Numerous suggestions have been made including having the Honolulu Police Department issue more citations when trolleys, charter buses, taxis and delivery trucks make unauthorized stops or don't practice reasonable loading times. The city has also agreed to look into finding ways to improve traffic flow and to work with various transportation companies to help streamline their businesses.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-10-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
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