Ala Pono
Project Description
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 Manoa/Palolo 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 Waikiki.
The Project
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 Waikiki, Ala Moana, and McCully/Moiliili 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.
Project Updates
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.
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.
10/24/2023 Update:
DTS, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration – Hawaii Division, and the State of Hawaii 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.
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.
Conceptual Renderings based on 65% Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about the Ala Wai Bridge project? Review the Frequently Asked Questions to find information on project development, design, potential impacts, access, environmental review, budget, and timeline.
Draft Environmental Assessment
The Draft Environmental Assessment for the Ala Wai Bridge project was published on March 23, 2021. 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, Moiliili, and Waikiki 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.
Virtual Community Meeting
A virtual community meeting was held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 to provide an overview of the proposed project, to review the alternatives considered, to share progress in the environmental review process, and to seek feedback on the Draft Environmental Assessment.
Meeting Materials
Watch the meeting recording or view the main presentation slides from the March 30, 2021 Virtual Community Meeting.
View slides from the six breakout rooms below.
Project Schedule
SPRING 2021
Draft Environmental Assessment
WINTER 2025
Approved Environment Document
SPRING 2025
Design-Build Procurement
SUMMER 2025
Notice to Proceed given to Design-Build Contractor
Project Background
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.
Project Alternatives
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.
Alternatives Analysis
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.
Highest Scoring Alternative
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.
Bridge Type Evaluation
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.
Implementation & Next Steps
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.
Full Report & Appendices
Ala Wai Alternatives Analysis – Executive Summary
Ala Wai Alternatives Analysis – Full Report
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
Gallery
Past meeting Materials and Results
Alternatives Analysis Meeting
On Thursday, March 28th, 2019 from 6 to 8 pm a meeting was held at the Waikiki Community Center to review the Ala Wai Canal Crossing Alternatives Analysis. Meeting materials are available at the links below, and the meeting recording and the meeting open house (which followed the presentation) are both available through Facebook Live.
Activity Boards
Meeting Presentation
Meeting Booklet
Meeting Flyer
Kickoff Meeting
Community Kick-off Meetings took place on Saturday, September 22nd and Monday, September 24th (view the Saturday, September 22nd event and Monday, September 24th event on Facebook). You can also view the results of the live poll that was conducted during the presentation at each meeting, or view the results of our online and intercept surveys.
Watch a recording of the recent community kickoff meetings via Facebook Live for the September 22nd meeting or the September 24th meeting, or read about the meeting in online articles published by the Star Advertiser and Hawaii Public Radio (HPR). Click on the links and thumbnails below to see the Meeting Presentation, activity boards, and community feedback results!
Kickoff Meeting Materials:
Meeting Flyer (English)
Meeting Flyer (Japanese, 日本語)
Meeting Flyer (Korean, 조국말)
Meeting Presentation
Community Feedback:
Bridge Width Activity
What’s Your Big Idea?
I’d Love a Crossing That…
What are Your Favorite Features?
Rank Your Preferred Experience
Your Opinion Matters
Community Engagement
For questions and/or comments on the Ala Wai Bridge Project, please contact Peter Garino, Department of Transportation Services at (808) 768-6651, or via email at peter.garino@honolulu.gov.
Get Involved
Learn more about the project and sign up for e-mail updates at:
www.honolulu.gov/completestreets
Send your comments or questions to Peter Garino at: