Brandon Miura lives in Kailua but is staying in Waikiki this weekend where he’s attending a class.
"This is the second time i’m trying to get into Waikiki today. I tried to get in at 2 o’clock and it was impossible to get to the Ilikai," says Brandon Miura, Kailua resident.
Little did he know how long he’d have to sit here tonight.
"I’ve been in the same spot for 45 minutes and it doesn’t look like I’m moving at all so i’ll probably stay for another 45 minutes. (You don’t need to use the bathroom or anything right?) I don’t know i’m getting close, ha ha ha," says Miura.
Police blocked off not only Ala Moana Boulevard, but also Piikoi Street and many others.
Why? Because Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his motorcade were about to come through.
"You know this is a tourist place this isn’t a place where dignitaries come in and hog the street traffic," says Larry Gerst, visiting from San Diego, California.
Pedestrians were also stopped.
"I guess I don’t like it but we knew about it before we came so you just deal with it," says Judy Hood, visiting from San Antonio, Texas.
And this is just a taste of what’s to come this weekend.
Officials say expect temporary road closures throughout the island as the Russian, Chinese, and U.S. Presidents travel on the roads.
And on Sunday morning, when those three Presidents, and other world leaders make their way from Waikiki to Ko Olina expect "carmageddon."
"Let’s say you don’t want to be anywhere on the road when we’re heading out to Ihilani Resort," says Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle.
For at least an hour straight Sunday morning, police plan to shut down all lanes of the H-1 freeway westbound from Waikiki to Ko Olina.
That’s planned to happen between 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Roads that run under the freeway along the route will also be closed.
Then, Sunday night around 5 to 7 o’clock, there will be rolling freeway closures in the eastbound direction.
As for tonight, the Russian motorcade finally made its way through the Ala Moana area around 7:30 p.m.
And shortly after the motorcade passed police re-opened Ala Moana and Piikoi about an hour and a half after shutting down the streets.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
