HONOLULU — The online mapping and navigation platform Google Maps has been updated to reflect current traffic conditions along the section of Dillingham Boulevard and Kamehameha Highway currently being transformed to accommodate the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Thursday.

What You Need To Know

  • Google Maps can now help users navigate the area in compliance with all current traffic conditions, including recently introduced left-turn restrictions

  • One traffic lane will be open in each direction on Kamehameha Highway and Dillingham Boulevard, from Middle Street to Kaaahi Street, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; left turns from Kamehameha Highway, Dillingham Boulevard and from driveways are restricted, except for the westbound left turn onto Alakawa Street and the westbound left turn onto Kaaahi Street. Left turns onto Dillingham can only be made at signalized intersections

  • According to HART, bus service will be maintained, and bus stops will be relocated as needed; pull-out lanes will be implemented at the bus stops to allow through traffic. Honolulu Police Department officers and on-site personnel will assist motorists and pedestrians through the work areas

  • On his One Oahu podcast on Friday, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi reiterated his assurance that, despite some public skepticism, the rail project will begin initial service in July

According to HART, the popular app can now help users navigate the area in compliance with all current traffic conditions, including recently introduced left-turn restrictions. 

“HART is extremely grateful to Google Maps for its assistance in this matter and to Hawaii Department of Transportation director designate Ed Sniffen, who initiated the communication between HART and Google Maps,” said HART executive director and CEO Lori Kahikina. “Due to Google’s policies, communication must come directly from either the state or city Department of Transportation, and Mr. Sniffen was able to put us in direct contact with the folks at Google Maps, who made the changes to the app expeditiously upon our request.” 

One traffic lane will be open in each direction on Kamehameha Highway and Dillingham Boulevard, from Middle Street to Kaaahi Street, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Left turns from Kamehameha Highway, Dillingham Boulevard and from driveways are restricted, except for the westbound left turn onto Alakawa Street and the westbound left turn onto Kaaahi Street. Left turns onto Dillingham can only be made at signalized intersections.  

Alternating intersections in the mauka and makai direction will be closed intermittently during weeknights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Access to all properties will be maintained. 

According to HART, bus service will be maintained, and bus stops will be relocated as needed. Pull-out lanes will be implemented at the bus stops to allow through traffic. Honolulu Police Department officers and on-site personnel will assist motorists and pedestrians through the work areas. 

On his One Oahu podcast on Friday, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi reiterated his assurance that, despite some public skepticism, the rail project would begin initial service in July.

“Somebody even offered to bet me at the town hall last week; there was such disbelief,” Blangiardi said. “You know, I could almost understand that. There’s been years of promises and everything else that’s been associated with the rail — unfortunately, most of it negative. We’ve tried to turn the corner and we have in so many ways. … That perception, that corner, if you will, will be changed when we begin operating, but we certainly have come a long way.”

Blangiardi said he would wait for HART to make a formal announcement but said rail service would “definitely” start in early July.

“This is not the full system yet but I think as we get through what we serve on the west side coming in at least through Pearl Harbor as a workplace, I think a lot of people will be surprised at the effectiveness of the multimodal, and the bus system we’re going to run out of Aloha Stadium,” he said. “I feel pretty good about that.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.