FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      June 20, 2006   Release M-66-06

CITY TO OPEN VILLAGE PARK CONNECTOR ROAD

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City officials will participate in a ceremony marking the opening of Aiki Street, the new street connecting Village Park with Waipahu, on Wednesday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m.

            The ceremony will be held in Village Park, at the intersection of Kupuna Loop and Aiki Street (on the makai half of Kupuna Loop, closest to the freeway).

            “This Village Park connector road will play a key role in easing traffic congestion by enabling motorists to reach either neighborhood without having to use the heavily traveled Kunia Road,” said Mayor Hannemann.  “This will be a welcome development for Village Park and Waipahu residents, and I commend the many individuals who worked long and hard to make this project a reality.”

            Other officials scheduled to attend include Councilmen Nestor Garcia and Todd Apo, as well as State Senator Will Espero.  Members of the area Neighborhood Board and Village Park Community Association will also be present.  Bishop Jon Pharis of Waipahu will deliver the blessing.

            Construction for this $3.2-million project began on March 1, 2004.  Kanana Fou Church transferred the roadway property to the City.  Engineering Concepts provided design consultation, while Royal Contracting Company served as the general contractor.

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Contacts:

Gregg Hirata, Mayor’s Office, 523-4051

Eugene Lee, Director of Design and Construction, 523-6928

AIKI STREET (Village Park Connector Road)

PROJECT:      Aiki Street (Kupuna Loop to Loaa Street)

                        Definition of aiki:  to light up dimly; to peer, peek

Scope of Work:           Construction of new 2-way collector road between Kupuna Loop in Village Park to Loaa Street in Waipahu.  Property for roadway acquired from Kanana Fou Church.  Work includes roadway grading, construction of roadway, curb and gutter, sidewalks and ADA curb ramps, installation of water line, drainage, and electrical system, new street lights, landscaping/irrigation, and construction of retaining walls.

Design Consultant:      Engineering Concepts, Inc.

Contractor:                  Royal Contracting Company, Ltd.

City Staff:                    Dept of Design and Construction, Civil Division

Contract:                     $3.2 million

Schedule:                    Notice to Proceed: March 1, 2004

                                    Project Completed:  June 2006

(June 5, 2006)