Ala Pono
Overview
The proposed project consists of a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing of the Ala Wai Canal in the vicinity of University Avenue, connecting to the Ala Wai Promenade on the makai side and the Ala Wai Park Path and University Avenue on the mauka side.
The Ala Wai Alternatives Analysis was conducted in 2018 to 2019 to identify, develop, and evaluate whether and how to provide additional access over the Ala Wai Canal and enhance connection between the Waikīkī, Ala Moana, and McCully/Mōʻiliʻili neighborhoods. Alternatives included a new bridge; enhancements to one of the existing bridges crossing the canal; other crossing types (i.e. aerial tram); and a no build alternative. A new bridge in the vicinity of University Avenue was identified as the preferred alternative.
The Opportunity
The purpose of the project is to provide safe access for people traveling by foot or by bicycle across the Ala Wai Canal between Ala Wai Boulevard and the Mānoa/Pālolo Stream. The project’s primary goal is to improve multimodal network connectivity and enhance public safety for people walking and bicycling. Secondary goals are to ensure comfortable and sustainable mobility options that enhance economic vitality, environmental health, social equity, and recreational opportunities. Further, the proposed bridge would provide a modern, artistic, and vibrant element to the area that is inspired by the native, cultural aspects of the canal and Waikīkī.
Location
The proposed Ala Wai Bridge project will span the Ala Wai Canal, in approximate alignment with Kalaimoku Street (makai side) and University Avenue (mauka side), connecting through the Ala Wai Neighborhood Park.
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In November 2024, the public was invited to attend two community open house workshops to grade, review and provide input on bridge design alternatives. The feedback provided by the public will inform the future bridge design. Additional efforts will be taken to address specific concerns raised through the environmental review process including federal funding to reconfigure and improve the existing comfort station adjacent to the proposed pedestrian bridge and local funding for the construction of a new canoe hālau nearest the bridge.
Please click the links below to watch recordings of previous community meetings, view presentations, slides, and additional meeting materials.
Past Community Meetings
- Recorded Presentation (09/22/2018)
- Recorded Presentation (09/24/2018)
- Presentation Slides (09/2018)
- Star Advertiser Article (09/2018)
- Meeting Flyer (English)
- Meeting Flyer (Japanese, 日本語)
- Meeting Flyer (Korean, 조국말)
- Polling Results
- What are Your Favorite Features?
- Rank Your Preferred Experience
- Bridge Width Activity
- What’s Your Big Idea?
- I’d Love a Crossing That…
- Surveys (11/2018)
Project History
In March 2021, a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) was published with the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) requirements. During the public review, over 200 public and agency comments were submitted. The proposed project consists of a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing of the Ala Wai Canal in approximate alignment with University Avenue and Kalaimoku Street, connecting McCully, Mōʻiliʻili, and Waikīkī neighborhoods.
The formal public review period for the Draft Environmental Assessment concluded on April 22, 2021. All comments will be reviewed and considered in the development of the Final Environmental Assessment. As a result of feedback received during the Draft Environmental Assessment public review period, the design team made design refinements on the tower and site plan, resulting in a height savings of ten feet. Additional updates to the project design address access to/from the Ala Wai Bridge by people walking and bicycling. The environmental review process is ongoing, including consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The project team is reviewing and considering the comments in development of the Final Environmental Assessment (under NEPA and HEPA). Project Design-Build will begin after environmental clearance, which is currently anticipated in Winter 2024/2025. Please click the link below to view the assessment:
10/24/2023 Update: DTS, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration – Hawaiʻi Division, and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation – Highways, by way of this Industry Announcement, is advising interested parties of a design-build project opportunity. This procurement will be for the design and construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Ala Wai Canal, connecting the Waikīkī, McCully, and Mōʻiliʻili neighborhoods. The Project will be delivered using a traditionally-funded design-build approach. To view the Industry Announcement flyer and for more information, visit here.
Alternatives Analysis Report
The Ala Wai Alternatives Analysis Report and Executive Summary explain the process of identifying a preferred alternative, providing improved pedestrian and bicycle access across the Ala Wai Canal. Each alternative was evaluated for feasibility, potential environmental impact, and alignment with the project’s purpose and need. Multiple options and alignments were evaluated that would either add a new crossing of the Ala Wai Canal or enhance an existing crossing. Evaluation criteria were selected for each project need and organized into an evaluation matrix. This analysis captured differences between alternatives across the range of identified primary needs.
The analysis and public feedback identified the approximate University Avenue alignment as the highest-scoring alternative that best achieves the project’s purpose and need to improve access for people traveling by foot or bicycle across the Ala Wai Canal. With a new crossing in the vicinity of University Avenue as the highest-scoring alternative, Ala Pono evaluated the types of bridges that most aligned with the community’s preferred bridge experience based on feedback from community meetings. The bridge type evaluation also used criteria to assess the feasibility and potential impacts of different bridge types for a new crossing.
The Ala Wai Alternatives Analysis identified the preferred alternative. Following the Alternatives Analysis phase, the City and County will move into the Preliminary Engineering phase to further evaluate the preferred alternative. Environmental Assessment will occur during this project phase. Please click links below to read full report, executive summary, and appendices:
- Analysis Report
- Executive Summary
- Appendix A – Purpose & Need
- Appendix B – Community Engagement Plan & Summary
- Appendix C – Bridge Use Forecast
- Appendix D – Evaluation Matrix
- Appendix E – Conceptual Bridge Designs
- Appendix F – Environmental Preconsultation
- Appendix G – Environmental Setting Description
- Appendix H – Multimodal Transportation Assessment
Project Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about the Ala Wai Bridge project? Please review the Frequently Asked Questions link below to find information on project development, design, potential impacts, access, environmental review, budget, and timeline.
Community Engagement
For questions and/or comments on the Ala Wai Bridge Project, please contact project manager, Peter Garino, Department of Transportation Services at (808) 768-6651, or via email at peter.garino@honolulu.gov.