March 2021
Contractor currently working on Kapolei Parkway crossing between Renton Road and Kolowaka Drive. Crossing work to continue to the end of February 2021. Work will then move to constructing a bikeway between Philippine Sea Road and Kapolei Parkway. Bridgework will start when all the required permits are obtained. Estimated completion of the project from Philippine Sea Road to Waipahu Depot Road is Spring 2023.
November 2020
The Contractor building the Leeward Bikeway determined that minor design changes were going to be required at the Kapakahi and Waikele bridges in Waipahu due to unanticipated utility services crossing the bridges. The contractor now will start construction at Philippine Sea and Renton Rd in Ewa and work east. We need the West Loch Shoreline Path rehabilitated as soon as possible. Please call the Mayor’s office and ask that the West Loch Shared Use Path and Bridge be rehabilitated before the Leeward Bikeway is completed.
April 2020
Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor was informed by the Managing Director of Honolulu that the City is unable to use CIP funds appropriated in the FY 2020 Budget to rehabilitate the West Loch Shared Use Path and Bridge because the Petition for Designation of Easements between the City and the WLF Association has not completed the Land Court process. This could take up to 2 years. This excuse is disingenuous. There are 2 miles of pathway and the bridge over Honouliuli Stream that is not affected by the Easement process. Please call the Mayor’s office and ask that the West Loch Shared Use Path and Bridge be rehabilitated before the Leeward Bikeway is completed.
March 2020
The HDOT has selected a contractor to complete phase 1 of the Leeward Bikeway. Work should begin mid 2020 and be completed in 2022
November 17, 2019
The HDOT is in the process of bidding out the Leeward Bikeway work with an approximate completion date of mid-2021. In sept 2018 the Ewa Neighborhood Board #23 approved a resolution asking the City to procure the funding and to complete needed work to restore and maintain the Kapapapuhi Shoreline Park Shared Use Path including replacing the metal catwalk bridge crossing Honouliuli Stream. Bill 11 (2019) provided the 1.98 million in funding to repave the pathway and replace the bridge.
With the Leeward Bikeway project moving forward I ask that you call or email Mayor Caldwell and ask him to release $1.98 million to repair and refurbish the Kapapapuhi Shoreline Park Path and Bridge.
The next work day for Kapapapuhi Shoreline Park is December 14, 2019. Please check out all the work that has been happening. We are removing tons of invasive mangrove. Go to HOH808 Facebook or website
October 24, 2019
The Hawaii Department of Transportation Contract Office has put out a Notice to Bidders to build phase 1 of the Leeward Bikeway earlier this month. The plan is to select a contractor early 2020 with the goal of completing construction in 2021. The work involves rebuilding 2 bridges and moving utilities and of course paving a pathway. When the work is completed, one will be able to walk, run or bike from the Hawaiian Railway Society located at Philippine Sea Road and Renton Road to Aloha Stadium on a shared use pathway without motor vehicles.
September 14, 2019
The next work day for Kapapapuhi Shoreline Park is Sept 28, 2019. Please check out all the work that has been happening. We are removing tons of invasive mangrove. Go to HOH808 Facebook or website
Council Member Ron Menor proposed an Executive Capital Budget Amendment to Bill 11 (2019) for design, construct and inspect the restoration of the West Loch Bike Path. The budget amendment requests 1.98 million dollars to repave 2.5 miles of bike path between Kapapapuhi Point Park and Asing Park including replacing the bridge over Honouliuli Stream.
Leeward Bikeway Phase 1 Update: After years of advocacy, the Leeward Bikeway took a major step forward on June 25 with the finalization of the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process for the section of the Leeward Bikeway between the Pearl Harbor Bike Path and Hawaiian Railway Society station. If all moves forward as planned, the project should go out to bid this Fall.
January 11, 2019
The 2018-2019 Kapapapuhi Park Restoration Work Schedule.
December 16, 2018
On August 9, 2018 John Rogers presented a resolution to the Ewa Neighborhood Board Number 23 requesting that the City and County of Honolulu prioritize the repair of the West Loch Shoreline Park Pathway and Honouliuli Bridge. The Ewa Neighborhood Board adopted the resolution.
The plan as late as this summer was that the Leeward Bikeway Phase 1 was to start construction early 2019. I have been informed that negotiations between the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and the Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS) have broken down. In order for the HDOT to complete the Environmental Assessment an agreement has to be completed with SHPD and HRS to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106. It seems that the HDOT does not want to accommodate what some would consider reasonable demands by the SHPD and HRS to ensure that the historical value will be enhanced with the building of the Leeward Bikeway.
Please contact your State of Hawaii Representatives: Senator Mike Gabbart, Representative Cullen TY and Representative Robert McDermott to let them know that you want the Leeward Bikeway Built ASAP.
August 6, 2018
As many of know, the West Loch Bike Path is in much need of being repaved and the bridge over Honouliuli Stream is in immediate need of replacement or repair.
John Rogers is going to present to the Ewa Neighborhood Board on the condition of the bike path and surrounding park and request they adopt a resolution requesting that the City prioritize the path’s repair. When the DOT finishes the Leeward Bikeway Phase I (set to breakground in 2019), this connected with the West Loch path and Pearl Harbor Bike Path will create a continuous bike path from Ewa to Aloha Stadium.
Your support at the meeting would help make sure this resolution is adopted and help push the City to repair the path.
Ewa Neighborhood Board, Thursday 8/9 7:00pm, at Ewa Beach Public and School Library, 91-950 North Rd, Ewa Beach
John put together this Google folder with the proposed resolution and pictures of the trail condition for everyone to look.
March 14, 2018
The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has informed the WLFA that they are preparing an Environmental Assessment to construct a 10 foot wide pathway along the former Oahu Railway and Land Company right-of-way beginning at Philippine Sea Road and extending east to Waipahu Depot Street. This will connect the Pearl Harbor Historic Path with the Kapapapuhi Shoreline Path (West Loch Shoreline Path) completing the first phase of the Leeward Bikeway. The HDOT intends to start work on the project in late 2018.
December 17, 2017
On October 11, 2017 The Honolulu City Council Adopted Resolution 17-230 Renaming West Loch Community Shoreline Park in Ewa Beach, Oahu To Kapapapuhi Point Park. Hui O Ho’ohonua (HOH808) a community development 501c.(3) non-profit organization spearheaded the name change and has set out to restore Kapapapuhi Point Park. The Restoration of Kapapapuhi Point Park includes: restoring the shorelines by removing the invasive mangrove, restoring the fish ponds, repair and upkeep of the installed infrastructure, and removing trash. As the Kapapapuhi Point Park restoration project moves forward HOH808 will showcase the cultural importance and beauty of the park through various events. Currently HOH808 has scheduled restoration workdays on the forth Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm of every month through July 2018. Please see the Kapapapuhi Restoration work day schedule. Please join us for work that is purposeful and a chance to meet like minded neighbors.
It has been reported by Hawaii News Now on Oct. 23 2017 that the State of Hawaii is moving Forward with Phase 1 of the Leeward Bikeway which includes linking up the Historic Pearl Harbor Multi-use Path with Kapapapuhi Point Multi-use Path. The link to video and transcript: Hawaii News Now. For those folks who use the pathway and know how badly it is in need of repair please use the 311 app or call the Mayor and Council Chair Menor to encourage them to fund the resurfacing of Kapapapuhi Point Multi-use Path pavement
February 15, 2017
On January 26, 2017 Council Chair Ron Menor met with John Rogers from the WLF Board and Chad Taniguchi and Daniel Alexander from Hawaii Bicycling League at the West Loch Community Shoreline Park to discuss the condition of the path and the surrounding areas. The folks from Hawaii Bicycling League were also interested in discussing a City-wide policy for maintaining all the multi-use paths under City jurisdiction e.g., Pearl Harbor Historic Trail. Council Chair Ron Menor submitted a Request for Investigation and Service Report to the City and County Administration regarding the problems at the West Loch Shoreline Park . We will keep you informed of its status.
If you you haven’t had the chance to walk along the shoreline pathway you are in for a surprise. The Fish and Wildlife Service has completed the Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook. See video of the Blessing Ceremony.
June 12, 2016
In April 2016 the State of Hawaii House and Senate passed HCR169 requesting the DOT to begin construction of phase 1 of the Leeward Bikeway before the end of 2016.
The Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) has taken the lead to advocate for the building of the Leeward Bikeway as soon as possible. If you are interested in the Leeward Bikeway becoming a reality check out the HBL Leeward Bikeway Webpage.
March 26, 2016
A resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to begin construction of the Leeward Bikeway in 2016 has been introduced in both houses of the Hawaii State Legislature. The House Committee on Transportation has recommended that the HCR169 (HR119) be passed and must be heard by the House Committee on Finance before it can go to the full House. SCR128 (SR95) will be heard by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy on March 29, 2016. If you are interested in seeing the Leeward Bikeway built please submit testimony or contact your legislator.
February 23, 2016
The Leeward Bikeway has been in the works since 1977. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has already planned it, designed it, and funded Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 will connect the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail to the West Loch Shoreline Park and continue to the Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS) Station on Renton Road.
The Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) has commenced a campaign to advocate that the State of Hawaii complete the Environmental Assessment for the Leeward Bikeway and begin construction of Phase 1 by the end of 2016. HBL has a goal of $60,000 to fund this effort and has nearly met it, but still needs more help. If you’re interested in donating, you can learn more about HBL and make a donation at Donate Now to Support the Leeward Bikeway! Another way to support the Leeward Bikeway project is to write or talk to your Hawaii State Legislators.
January 13, 2016
As many of you may already know, the West Loch Fairways Association has disputed its ownership of a portion of the West Loch Shoreline Park Bike Path (the portion from the Hamana cul-de-sac to Asing Park) with the City and County of Honolulu since around 2005. After many years of the Board attempting to remedy the issue with the City, and not making any headway, Councilman Ron Menor took on the issue as soon as he took office and facilitated the negotiations between the Association and the Mayor Caldwell administration. A compromise was formulated and the Association agreed to grant the City a non-exclusive and perpetual easement for use by the general public for bicycle path and pedestrian purposes in exchange for the City and County of Honolulu indemnifying the Association against any and all damages to the bike path area and against all claims, actions and proceedings. The agreement also includes that the City will restore the irrigation system that runs the length of easement.
During the Association’s December Board meeting, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement and Entry Permit for the Bike Path Easement.
On January 11, 2016 Mayor Caldwell held a press conference to publicize the agreement on the West Loch Shoreline Park Bike Path with Councilman Ron Menor and Director Mike Formby in attendance. Both were instrumental in crafting the Agreement.
See Honolulu Star Advertiser Article: ARTICLE
See Hawaii News Now Article: LINK
August 1, 2015
This first post describes the origin and the background information of the Leeward Bikeway and the Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook. For more information check out the Oahu Bike Plan 2012. Future posts will provide updates of the status of construction and answer any questions that you may ask through this website. The following is an excerpt from the Leeward Bikeway Supplemental Draft Environmental Assessment October 2010:
The State of Hawai‘i, Department of Transportation, Highways Division (HDOT), proposes to construct the Leeward Bikeway (Bikeway), extending from Lualualei Naval Road in Nānākuli on the Wai‘anae Coast, through the ‘Ewa Plain, to the vicinity of Waipi‘o Point Access Road in Waipahu. The construction of the Leeward Bikeway is in response to the 1980 transfer of title of an approximately 14-mile long railroad right-of-way (ROW) from the Federal government to the State of Hawai‘i.
The proposed Bikeway will be constructed in two phases:
Phase 1 of the project will result in a continuous bikeway facility from the Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS) Station (in ‘Ewa) eastward to the vicinity of Waipi‘o Point Access Road where it will adjoin the existing Pearl Harbor Historic Trail. Also included in Phase 1 is the construction of the Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook (Overlook) at the Hono‘uli‘uli Unit of the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (PHNWR) in West Loch.
Phase 2 will encompass the area in which train operations of the HRS are active, from ‘Ewa to Kahe Point, and northward to Lualualei Naval Road in Nānākuli. Included in the Leeward Bikeway alignment, but to be built under a separate HDOT project, is the Farrington Highway segment between Nānākuli Stream and Helelua Street in Nānākuli.
The Bikeway is planned as a dedicated, shared use path primarily for pedestrians and bicyclists. The mostly 9- to 10-foot wide, asphalt concrete facility will be separated from vehicular traffic except where it crosses existing roadways. In addition to new construction, the proposed project will reconstruct an existing City and County of Honolulu (CCH) bike path, between Waipahu Depot Road and the vicinity of Waipi‘o Point Access Road, and connect to either end of the existing West Loch Bike Path.
The Bikeway is intended to share the 40-foot wide railroad ROW with current and planned restoration of the railway by the HRS. The tracks between the HRS Station in ‘Ewa, near Renton Road, and Kahe Point in Nānākuli are currently used by the HRS to operate 90-minute long, education-oriented train rides.
Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook
The PHNWR consists of three units: Hono‘uli‘uli, located on the West Loch of Pearl Harbor (36.5 acres), Waiawa, located on the Middle Loch (24.5 acres), and Kalaeloa, in ‘Ewa (37 acres). The three units were made part of the PHNWR as mitigation for the loss of wildlife habitat resulting from the creation of the Honolulu International Airport Reef Runway. Construction of the runway required the filling of valuable shorebird habitat in Ke‘ehi Lagoon. Betty Nagamine, a teacher at McKinley High School and a volunteer with the Hawai‘i Audubon Society, met with Herman Bliss of the Federal Aviation Administration to discuss this loss of habitat. At her urging, Mr. Bliss contacted the U. S. Department of the Navy, the State of Hawai‘i, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to find suitable and comparable replacement habitat for native shorebirds and wetland waterbirds including four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. The PHNWR was created in 1976 as a result.
The USFWS is proposing to establish the Overlook at the PHNWR’s Hono‘uli‘uli Unit where the public can learn about the establishment of the PHNWR and the resources it serves. The preferred plan will consist of a raised boardwalk with two platforms overlooking West Loch and the Hono‘uli‘uli Unit. The facility will be joined via an access trail to the existing West Loch Bike Path.
The Overlook is to be paid for by the HDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and constructed by HDOT as part of Phase 1 of the Leeward Bikeway. The Overlook project is to be coordinated with the USFWS and the U. S. Department of the Navy (as landowner) based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed in 2003 between the HDOT and USFWS for cooperation on this project.