Starting Monday, Aug. 21, University of Hawaii students at six campuses will begin their fall 2023 semester, so Oahu motorists are asked to plan accordingly with the expected increase in traffic.

According to the university, the largest increase in traffic is expected around the UH Manoa campus, including both directions of the H-1 Freeway and surrounding surface streets as 19,000 students are expected to head to class.

Increased traffic is also expected around Leeward Community College, Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu Community College, UH West Oahu and Windward Community College.

Traffic is usually heaviest for the first two weeks of the semester. However, UH administrators say traffic is expected to be lighter than pre-pandemic years as more courses are online or partially online. Also, more UH employees are teleworking up to two days a week.

UH encourages alternative modes of transportation for students, faculty, staff and administration. They include TheBus, the Skyline rail system, as well as bicycling, walking, skateboarding, etc. for those who are able and live near their campus.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.