Village Park Access Road Opening Set

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The Waipahu community will finally get “connected” following a dedication ceremony set by the city for 10:30 a.m. June 21.

The $3.2 million two-lane street, known as the Village Park Connector Road, began as a vision project (and $2 million in city money) under the Harris administration in 1999. Residents saw the road as a safe alternative to Kunia Road for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, and as a way to connect a community divided in the middle by the H-1 freeway.

Royal Contracting is completing final touches on the road now. Tentatively called Aiki Street, it runs from lower Kupuna Loop in Village Park, follows an old cane haul road around Kanana Fou Congregational Christian Church, dips under the freeway and comes out on Loa’a Street in the Harbor View subdivision.

The plan called for two 10-foot-wide traffic lanes and two 4-foot-wide pathways for walkers and bicycles. Negotiations for a right-of-way with the church, which lies in the path of the new artery, and other private landowners delayed the original start date in 2002.

“It can handle local traffic, act as an emergency bypass and relieve the traffic on Kunia Road,” said City Councilman Nestor Garcia.

“And it’s also a symbolic way to unite a community. Greater Waipahu is united by its 96797 zip code, but the freeway serves to split it on both sides of the track.”

Residents remain concerned about speeding and increased traffic, but have said that the connector road is still needed. Don’t hurry: The speed limit is 25 mph.