Not once, but twice, drivers were warned Sunday to stay off the roadways.
"Cause we heard all different times 4:00, 3:00, 6:00, 7:00 so we said to hell with it let’s chance it and here we are sitting in the traffic," said Pearl City resident Janet George.
Janet George and dozens of other drivers got stopped on Moanalua Road near the Sears distribution center around 4:30pm.
The Youngs were on their way to a family dinner in Hawaii Kai – a trunk full of food.
"We have baked salmon, baked beans, ham, pumpkin pies, apple pies, all kinds of stuff, so we’re not going to starve hahaha," said Pearl City resident Nancy Young.
HPD and Military police shut down the H-1 East bound as dignitaries and their motorcades made their way from Ko Olina back into Waikiki following the APEC economic leaders meeting.
"Hopefully they’ll release us soon because we want to go home already," said Matauaina Tauasosi of Kalihi.
Not only was the H1 freeway blocked, but underpasses and overpasses along the route were also closed-off.
The closure was quick in comparison to what drivers faced Sunday morning.
"I thought I’d get groceries early in the morning that’s my one trip for the day and I get stuck," said Bonnie Chan, who was caught in traffic.
Thousands got stuck as police and the secret service led the Presidents of Russia, China, and the US to the Ihilani Resort, shutting off side streets from Piikoi through Pearl City.
"I almost made it I didn’t realize they were going to close the overpasses," said Brenda Kau, who was also caught in traffic. "What can you do you’ve got to be patient you got to breathe – you can’t be angry."
The security zone around Waikiki will continue to cause bus detours until this checkpoint you see comes down.
Police say it will stay up until dignitaries in the area depart their hotels and head to the airport to return home and that’s anticipated to happen sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday so plan ahead.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
