District 9 boasts has nearly 390 lane-miles of city-owned road — and it earns the dubious distinction of having the lowest share of roads in satisfactory condition and the highest share in substandard condition.
DISTRICT 9
» Includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Mililani Town, West Loch, Iroquois Point and parts of Ewa Villages and Ewa Beach
» Represented by Councilman Ron Menor
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A little more than 62 percent of the district’s city roads were found to be in fair condition or better, according to a survey done last year. Nearly 38 percent were scored as "poor" or worse — representing nearly 148 lane-miles of road.
That compares with 72.2 percent of roads islandwide that were fair or better, while 27.8 percent were found to be substandard.
The news on road conditions isn’t all bad for District 9 residents, however. Less than one city lane-mile there was graded to be failed, or among the worst of the worst on the island. Many of the district’s worst city roads are either slated for construction within a year or already started.
But nearly 90 lane-miles of city road were rated in poor condition, 42 were very poor and more than 15 were "serious" — a step above failed.
YOUR COMMENTS
Star-Advertiser readers sound off on island roads via Facebook, online story comments and emailed feedback:
"There has not been one day since I came to the island that I haven’t seen a vehicle on the side of the road with a flat tire. I mean that literally. Every time I venture out with my family I find myself looking over to my wife saying, "There’s another one." It’s not just the run-down vehicles, either. Most are vehicles that are in distress are fairly new. One could do a little research on how German roads are built. Permanently revamp Hawaii’s roadways one area at a time instead of revisiting the same roads season after season."
Jim Dormuth
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"I have one word: ‘terrible.’ Shame on our government leaders for allowing our roadways to deteriorate."
Andrew Chang
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"I need that bumper sticker: "I’m not drunk, I’m just avoiding potholes!!"
Alisha Rego
THE PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX
To rate how badly damaged a road’s surface is, many cities including Honolulu use a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-designed point system. Roads are scored between 0 and 100, with 0 being the worst and 100 being the best. The score is calculated mainly using three criteria: the type(s) of damage, how severe the damage is and how extensive it is.
Because it’s a score, there could be different types of damage seen in different categories. Here’s a general idea of what drivers can expect.
Click to enlarge the chart.
Click to enlarge the chart.
THE WORST ROADS IN DISTRICT 9
Some roads may have been repaired since the City and County of Honolulu conducted its survey in 2012. An asterisk (*) denotes city road segments that are not listed on the city’s repaving schedule. Many of those roads are still in the design phase and will go out to bid for construction within a year, officials say.
Road |
From |
To |
Grade |
Scheduled for repaving |
Apoke Place |
North Road |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction ongoing |
Apoke Place |
North Road |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction ongoing |
Puanane Place |
Puanane Loop |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction to start within a year |
Apai Place |
North Road |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction ongoing |
Lawalu Place |
Laupapa Street |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction ongoing |
Mahau Place |
Puanane Loop |
End of street |
Failed |
Construction to start within a year |
Keakaula Place |
Laupapa Street |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction ongoing |
Makohilani Street |
Lanikuhana Avenue |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction to start within a year |
Nahokupa Street |
Makohilani Street |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction to start within a year |
Keena Place |
Laupapa Street |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction ongoing |
Maukuku Place |
Nahokupa Street |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction to start within a year |
Aama Place |
North Road |
End of street |
Serious |
Construction ongoing |
Paikauhale Street |
Makaunulau Street |
Kilohoku Street |
Serious |
Construction to start within a year |