Meeting Highlights

H3 Tunnels Technical Tour

Jimmy Kephart and Gerald Pang from HDOT graciously gave 20 ITE members a tour of the H3 Tunnels facilities to take a look at the exhaust and supply fans and other infrastructure, as well as the maintenance tunnel to see cross passes, electrical, and communications rooms. Highlights of the tour included being able to be up close to and right above the roads where it felt like we could feel the cars rumbling up and down the tunnel, and going all the way to top of the Kaneohe side of the tunnels to look down on the H3 like royalty. ITE members displayed impressive stamina as the many flights of stairs did not seem to deter a single person from continuing on with the tour. It was truly incredible to learn about the engineering that went into the construction of the tunnels which included excavating and building the membrane at the blistering pace of several feet every day. The tour really helped to give a newfound appreciation and understanding of the H3 Tunnels.

Lahaina Recovery Efforts

Jennifer Maydan from the Maui County Office of Recovery presented on the ongoing Lahaina Recovery Efforts which included the following topics:

• Lahaina Long-Term Recovery Plan (December 2024)
• Rebuild Lahaina Plan
• Streets & Mobility Plan
• Front Street Improvements

The presentation covered a variety of different ongoing recovery projects and programs which all had their own unique challenges and opportunities. Of particular interest to the transportation field was the Rebuild Lahaina Plan, which had planned streets & mobility improvements such as wide sidewalks and new street connections to enhance mobility for all modes of travel. It was heartwarming and encouraging to hear about all of the ongoing efforts to restore Lahaina and support its recovery.

Presentation

Smart Parking Management for Efficiency and Affordability

Todd Litman from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute gave a presentation about the benefits of parking management which included the following topics:

• Typical Parking Costs
• Required Parking Minimums
• Parking Management Strategies
• Parking Management Success Stories

After the presentation, Todd led a hands-on workshop which explored how to navigate conversations around parking management with different types of audiences ranging from hotel developers to politicians. The presentation and workshop highlighted how a shift in thinking about parking spaces from the old mindset (more is better) to a new mindset (less is more) is potentially beneficial from both a financial and efficiency perspective.

Presentation

Hawaii Section Annual Meeting

The Section Annual Meeting included remarks from Kimberly Leung, ITE Western District International Director, followed by recognition of the current executive board, committee chairs, and section representatives. The section conducted a brief review of 2025 activities and accomplishments, including meetings, technical events, and the winning of the 2025 Western District Section Momentum Award, and the 2025 Western District Small Section Activity Award. ITE Hawaii Section election results were announced, and the newly elected offices were formally sworn in.

Upcoming Events

The ITE Hawaii Section invites you to our January 7, 2026, hybrid meeting featuring a professional development workshop on Parking Management, led by Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems. 

To register, see the registration form here.

Mahalo to those that attended our September 2025 Meeting!

Introduction and Topic

Renee Esipau, Complete Streets Administrator and Germain Salim, Complete Streets Planner for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS), presented on two transit-priority lane projects in Honolulu.

Presentation Highlights

The presentation summarized two transit-priority lane projects in Honolulu along King Street and Kuhio Avenue, focusing on project background, design, and observed operational considerations. The speakers reviewed key design elements of the transit lanes, and shared preliminary observations related to corridor travel times. The presentation highlighted how these projects inform the City’s broader approach to transit prioritization and complete streets implementation.