In effort to curb Laniakea Beach problems, city to install a fence this week

Updated: Dec. 14, 2020 at 10:38 PM HST
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HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - City crews will be installing a 1,200 foot long fence this week at Laniakea Beach.

Mayor Caldwell says the structure will improve traffic and pedestrian safety along the highway. In recent years, the area has been a problem spot with overcrowding, illegal parking and traffic. The mayor says the fence is a small step towards fixing the issued of the popular beach.

“The city is doing a very small part of the overall solution to this problem. Basically, it’s moving the fence to where it should be,” Caldwell said. “Right now there’s a rancher that’s encroaching on city property and has been for a very long time. So we’re moving the fence onto our property and so he’s no longer encroaching right on the boundary.”

Last week, brush was cleared from the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway to make way for the fence.

Once the fence is in, the city says the state can move ahead with a design to provide parking and a safer way to access the beach.

The state has also been exploring a realignment of the highway with parking on the makai side so no one will have to cross traffic.

While that may be years away, residents are glad the city is finally taking a first step.

“The better understanding that the City and County of Honolulu has about the resources that it controls,” said North Shore Resident, Blake Mcelheny. “The better it will be to manage those public assets for the benefit of the public.”

The fence installation is scheduled to be finished by the end of the month.

During the construction of the fence, parking near the construction access point will be restricted.

The city is also looking into implementing guardrails on the mauka side of the highway and crosswalks near the entry and exit points of the parking lot.

This story may be updated.

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