Tempers flare over Wahiawa pedestrian bridge

WHITMORE VILLAGE (HawaiiNewsNow) – Tempers flared in Central Oahu as state transportation leaders explained their plan to build a foot and bicycle bridge between Wahiawa and Whitmore Village.

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Opponents said they want a bridge that they can drive across, but that kind of money isn’t in the budget.

State transportation officials have planned for years to build the footbridge, which is still opposed by many in the community. That led to heated exchanges at a Friday meeting meant to show design and construction plans.

The 411-foot-long span over the Kaukonahua Stream will run from Whitmore Avenue to the Wahiawa Police Station on Cane Street.

“Putting this pedestrian path not only gives access for Whitmore residents to all the goods, services and opportunities that are in Wahiawa, but also has an emergency ingress/egress for Wahiawa itself,” Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Director Ed Sniffen told Hawaii News Now.

Many residents said the bridge should be open to more than just pedestrians.

“I heard about it years ago and at that time it was 13 million dollars. And I thought that’s ridiculous. And then the design shows this bridge 12 feet wide. That’s the same as a car lane, but it’s supposed to be for people that walk, or bicycles,” said Wahiawa resident David Nelson.

“The priority for our community is really vehicle access,” said Wahiawa resident TJ Cuaresma. “We don’t have a way for our kupuna and our community residents to exit Whitmore Village if there is an emergency.”

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“Right now, the pedestrian access is 27 million (dollars),” said Sniffen. “When we look at vehicular access, it’s 70 to 80 million already. So it’s a number we just can’t afford at this time.”

The transportation director cited a 2020 survey that found about a third of all Wahiawa area residents would use the path.

HDOT also plans to widen the current Karsten Thot Bridge on Kamehameha Highway, which is the only pedestrian path between Whitmore and Wahiawa.

There were a few supporters at the meeting, but most at the gathering don’t want it to go ahead.

“Don’t spend the money on the pedestrian bridge when our roads are unsafe. Do not spend the money on the pedestrian bridge when our homeless population is living under existing bridges. Do not spend the money on the pedestrian bridge in Wahiawa has said no, loudly, clearly and repeatedly,” said one man.

Despite the feedback, the project has already been approved and funded. Sniffen said construction is set to begin in a few weeks.

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