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Waipahu residents give input on look of rail stations

By Zahid Arab - bio | email

WAIPAHU (KHNL) - It isn't set to be up and running until 2011, but Tuesday night Waipahu residents got a chance to weigh-in on the look of the $5.4 billion Honolulu Mass Rail Transit system's stations to be built in their neighborhood.

Waipahu will have two "touch down" stations, that's where elevated portions of the total 20 mile rail route meets the ground level. Tuesday was the community's chance to accessorize

Watering. Pruning precise.

"I make shapes," said Waipahu resident Art Agudong.

Art Agudong's green thumb is just that, a work of art. From the stems in his yard to the rail's future Waipahu Transit Center down the street at the intersection of Farrington Highway and Mokuola Street, he cares about the look of his community.

"Let them grow a little bit and then keep shape shape shape like that," said Agudong.

That's why the City and County of Honolulu is holding a series of three workshops to include area residents input on the station's designs.

"What they want, what type of colors, what they want in the entry way, type of landscaping," said spokesperson Scott Ishikawa.

That makes Joe Hunkin happy.

"If all the families are involved, it's going to be a great success, it's going to be great for the people," said Waipahu Resident Joe Hunkin.

A second station is set to be constructed at Farrington Highway and Leoku Street. The trains will carry up to 6,000 passengers per hour, running every three, six and ten minutes depending on the time of day. That's all set in stone, but the community will come up with each station's exteriors.

"We want each station to best reflect the character of the community," said Ishikawa.

And for Agudong it's important to make the stations a positive, plentiful addition to his community.

The rail will get Waipahu residents to the airport in 18 minutes, downtown in 30 minutes and to the Ala Moana Center in about 34 minutes.

Project designers will take Tuesday night's input and draft sketches to be presented to the public at a second meeting next month.