The project is divided into three phases: beginning on Hunnewell St. between Lanihuli & Seaview, then moving to Metcalf St. between University & Wilder and finishing on Ho'onanea St. between Metcalf and Dole.

Inconveniences Ahead For Manoa Drivers

By Nathan Serota, Charlotte Marten and Nodoka Fuse

Last week the commencement of classes at UHM was accompanied by the first stages of subterranean water main replacement located west of University Avenue . Three main streets in that area, including: Metcalf, Hunnewell and Hoonanea, will be affected by the $1 million Punahou Water Sytem Improvement project expected to be finished within one year.

Actual construction began on Thursday September 6 on Hunnewell St. between Vancouver Dr . and Seaview Av., where Moani Wright Van-Alst, a representative for the Board of Water Supply (BWS), explained that this project was a proactive measure. “What we are doing is replacing the old infrastructure with the new infrastructure to prevent any further breaks in the area.”

The process of reinstating the new piping may cause water services to be temporarily suspended for residents and businesses in the area. Although shut downs would only last a matter of hours, Volcano Joe’s restaurant (located on the corner of University & Metcalf) would suffer immensely from the loss of its water. “If they shut down water I’m out of business,” replied Les Iczkovitz, owner of Volcano Joe’s.

The BWS plans on notifying residents and businesses well in advance in the event that water services needs to be suspended. They even have plans to schedule shut downs around normal business hours and provide water wagons to supply emergency water.

But what the BWS can’t fix is the inevitable impact that construction will have on traffic and roadside parking in the area. Construction along Metcalf St. is expected to have the greates impact on the community, as it experiences the most traffic of the three streets and offers the most parking in the area. Sadie Rebstock, a driver and UHM student, uses the metered parking along Metcalf St. on a daily basis, and without it, she fears that her options are limited. “That in turn affects my schooling,getting to class on time, and teacher really don’t like that.”

Still, the water pipes under these roads are 59 years old and have experienced 28 breaks within that period, making these repairs as necessary as they are inconvenient.