Drivers heading into Waikiki faced more slowdowns Saturday, but the restrictions will soon be lifted.
Checkpoints around the security zone added an hour or more for the commute though it was nowhere near as backed up as the weekdays.
Bumper to bumper drivers filed in along Ala Moana Boulevard, waiting their turn to get through the checkpoint into Waikiki’s APEC security zone.
"Actually we start at 3 o’clock but we’ve got to go because we’re coming from the other side of the island, how much longer did it take you? Up to now is about 1 hour 30 minutes already," said James Alimbuyao, who was trying to get his job at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Though the backup along Ala Moana Boulevard did not stretch as far as it had Friday, many said the added wait was at least an hour.
"Now how much longer did this add to your commute? Oh my gosh, we don’t even know — an hour and a half just now, we’ll see how long this takes and we’ll see from here," said driver Everett Wong.
Other backups happened near the Lewers Street checkpoint side of the security zone that blanketed Fort DeRussy, Hale Koa and Hilton Hawaiian Village. People on foot moved faster than traffic, with pedestrians finding the easiest commute through Waikiki.
The Waikiki security zone restrictions will be lifted as of midnight. The checkpoint breakdown will begin as early as 10 p.m.
On Sunday morning, avoid the H-1 westbound, the official expected closure time is 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. so all the leaders can head from Waikiki to Ko Olina. Expect brief rolling closures for return trips eastbound later in the day.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
