Interstate H-1
Encyclopedia
Interstate H-1 is the busiest Interstate Highway in Hawaii
, United States
, located on the island of O‘ahu
. Despite the number, this is an east–west highway—the 'H'-series (for Hawaii) numbering reflects the order in which routes were funded and built. H-1 goes from Route 93
(Farrington Highway) in Kapolei
to Route 72 (Kalanianaole Highway) in Kāhala
. East of Middle Street in Honolulu (exit 19A), H-1 is also known as the Lunalilo
Freeway and is sometimes signed as such at older signs in central Honolulu. West of Middle Street, H-1 is also known as the Queen Liliuokalani Freeway; this name is shown on some roadmaps. It is the westernmost and southernmost Interstate Highway in the United States.
Interstate H-1 begins near the Campbell Industrial Park in the town of Kapolei, Hawaii
. West of this point, Hawaii state route 93 (Farrington Highway) continues toward Waianae. The freeway continues east, passing the community of Makakilo until reaching the junction with SR 750 (north to Kunia) and SR 76 (south to Ewa Beach).
H-1 then continues along the northern edge of Waipahu approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) until its junction with Interstate H-2
. It then continues east through the towns of Pearl City
and Aiea for approximately 5 miles (8 km) to the complex Halawa Interchange, where it meets Interstates H-3
and H-201
. The highway then turns south for two miles (3 km), then east soon after the exits for Hickam Air Force Base
and Pearl Harbor
. At this point, the highway runs along a viaduct above state route 92 (Nimitz Highway), passing to the north of Honolulu International Airport
.
Two miles past the airport exit, three lanes exit the freeway at exit 18A to join Nimitz Highway toward Waikiki, while the remaining two lanes make an S-curve to join the east end of Interstate H-201
. From here H-1 runs through the city of Honolulu along a series of underpasses and viaducts. H-1 ends in the Kahala district of Honolulu near Kahala Mall, where state route 72 (Kalanianaole Highway) ends.
H-1 has a maximum posted speed limit of 60 mph (100 km/h) west of the Kunia-Ewa-Waipahu interchange; a 55 mph (90 km/h) speed limit for the remaining section running to the airport, and a 50 mph (80 km/h) speed limit on the Lunalilo freeway section that runs within the Honolulu area, with a few 45 mph (73 km/h) sections.
During morning commute hours on weekdays, an eastbound contraflow express lane is deployed from just west of the Waikele/Waipahu exit in Waipahu to exit 18A, where it connects to the beginning of the Nimitz Highway
contraflow lane. The H-1 contraflow lane is often referred to as a "Zipper Lane" due to the use of a movable concrete barrier and a Zipper Machine
. The H-1 and Nimitz Highway contraflow lanes are restricted to buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with three or more occupants while in operation.
The portion of H-1 that runs through downtown Honolulu opened in 1953 as the Mauka Arterial; it was added to the Interstate system when Hawaii became a state. This section has been largely unchanged since its inception and its design suffers from having too many on/off ramps, short distanced on-ramps, and on-ramps that enter the freeway almost immediately before an off-ramp (opposite of current design standards). The 'new' section of H-1 was, however, built to modern freeway standards.
The Hawaiian Interstate shields have gone through numerous changes. Early shields contained the hyphen as per the official designation (e.g. H-1); however, these shields have been updated with the hyphen removed (e.g. H1). Other early interstate shields included the writing of 'Hawaii' above the interstate route number and below the 'Interstate' writing. While the "Queen Liliuokalani" section of the Interstate H-1 has signs designating it as such (one eastbound at exit 1, the other westbound after exit 19), there are no similar name signs for the Lunalilo Freeway portion (the remainder of the freeway).
.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located on the island of O‘ahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. Despite the number, this is an east–west highway—the 'H'-series (for Hawaii) numbering reflects the order in which routes were funded and built. H-1 goes from Route 93
Hawaii Route 93
Route 93 is a major east–west highway on the island of Oahu which begins as Interstate H-1 terminates in Kapolei and ends at Kaena Point on the extreme northwest end of Oahu, just past Makaha.-Route description:...
(Farrington Highway) in Kapolei
Kapolei, Hawaii
Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city....
to Route 72 (Kalanianaole Highway) in Kāhala
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. East of Middle Street in Honolulu (exit 19A), H-1 is also known as the Lunalilo
Lunalilo
Lunalilo, born William Charles Lunalilo , was king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874...
Freeway and is sometimes signed as such at older signs in central Honolulu. West of Middle Street, H-1 is also known as the Queen Liliuokalani Freeway; this name is shown on some roadmaps. It is the westernmost and southernmost Interstate Highway in the United States.
Route description
Kapolei, Hawaii
Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city....
. West of this point, Hawaii state route 93 (Farrington Highway) continues toward Waianae. The freeway continues east, passing the community of Makakilo until reaching the junction with SR 750 (north to Kunia) and SR 76 (south to Ewa Beach).
H-1 then continues along the northern edge of Waipahu approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) until its junction with Interstate H-2
Interstate H-2
Interstate H-2 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located on the island of O‘ahu in Hawai‘i, USA. H-2 is also known as the Veterans Memorial Freeway. Despite the number, this is a north–south interstate—the 'H'-series numbering reflects the order in which routes were funded and built...
. It then continues east through the towns of Pearl City
Pearl City, Hawaii
Pearl City is a census-designated place located in the Ewa District and City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 47,698. Pearl City is located along the north shore of Pearl Harbor. ʻAiea borders Pearl City to the east, while Waipahu...
and Aiea for approximately 5 miles (8 km) to the complex Halawa Interchange, where it meets Interstates H-3
Interstate H-3
Interstate H-3 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located on the island of O'ahu in the state of Hawai'i in the United States. H-3 is also known as the John A. Burns Freeway...
and H-201
Interstate H-201
Interstate H-201 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway located on the island of O‘ahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The H-201 is also known as the Moanalua Freeway...
. The highway then turns south for two miles (3 km), then east soon after the exits for Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
and Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. At this point, the highway runs along a viaduct above state route 92 (Nimitz Highway), passing to the north of Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu International Airport is the principal aviation gateway of the City & County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii and is identified as one of the busiest airports in the United States, with traffic now exceeding 21 million passengers a year and rising.It is located in the Honolulu...
.
Two miles past the airport exit, three lanes exit the freeway at exit 18A to join Nimitz Highway toward Waikiki, while the remaining two lanes make an S-curve to join the east end of Interstate H-201
Interstate H-201
Interstate H-201 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway located on the island of O‘ahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The H-201 is also known as the Moanalua Freeway...
. From here H-1 runs through the city of Honolulu along a series of underpasses and viaducts. H-1 ends in the Kahala district of Honolulu near Kahala Mall, where state route 72 (Kalanianaole Highway) ends.
H-1 has a maximum posted speed limit of 60 mph (100 km/h) west of the Kunia-Ewa-Waipahu interchange; a 55 mph (90 km/h) speed limit for the remaining section running to the airport, and a 50 mph (80 km/h) speed limit on the Lunalilo freeway section that runs within the Honolulu area, with a few 45 mph (73 km/h) sections.
During morning commute hours on weekdays, an eastbound contraflow express lane is deployed from just west of the Waikele/Waipahu exit in Waipahu to exit 18A, where it connects to the beginning of the Nimitz Highway
Hawaii Route 92
Route 92 is a major east–west highway on the island of Oahu which begins at exit 15 off Interstate H-1 in Honolulu and ends east of the Ala Wai Canal crossing in Waikiki. The western portion, west of Richards Street, is also known as the Nimitz Highway...
contraflow lane. The H-1 contraflow lane is often referred to as a "Zipper Lane" due to the use of a movable concrete barrier and a Zipper Machine
Barrier transfer machine
Barrier transfer machines, also known as zipper machines, are heavy vehicles used to transfer Jersey barriers or other concrete lane dividers used to relieve traffic congestion during rush hours....
. The H-1 and Nimitz Highway contraflow lanes are restricted to buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with three or more occupants while in operation.
History
Interstate H-1 was authorized as a result of the Statehood Act of 1960.The portion of H-1 that runs through downtown Honolulu opened in 1953 as the Mauka Arterial; it was added to the Interstate system when Hawaii became a state. This section has been largely unchanged since its inception and its design suffers from having too many on/off ramps, short distanced on-ramps, and on-ramps that enter the freeway almost immediately before an off-ramp (opposite of current design standards). The 'new' section of H-1 was, however, built to modern freeway standards.
The Hawaiian Interstate shields have gone through numerous changes. Early shields contained the hyphen as per the official designation (e.g. H-1); however, these shields have been updated with the hyphen removed (e.g. H1). Other early interstate shields included the writing of 'Hawaii' above the interstate route number and below the 'Interstate' writing. While the "Queen Liliuokalani" section of the Interstate H-1 has signs designating it as such (one eastbound at exit 1, the other westbound after exit 19), there are no similar name signs for the Lunalilo Freeway portion (the remainder of the freeway).
Interstate H-4
In the 1960s a fourth freeway, which would have been Interstate H-4, was proposed for the city of Honolulu. The intent of H-4 was to provide relief to the congested H-1 through downtown Honolulu. Had it been built, the H-4 would have started at Exit 18 (H-1/Nimitz Highway interchange) and followed the Honolulu waterfront to the Kapiolani interchange (Exit 25B). The idea, however, was unpopular and the freeway was never built.Exit list
The entire route is in Honolulu CountyHonolulu County, Hawaii
The City and County of Honolulu is a consolidated city–county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The municipality and county includes both the urban district of Honolulu and the rest of the island of Oahu, as well as several minor outlying islands, including all of the Northwestern Hawaiian...
.
| Location | Mile | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapolei Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city.... |
0.00 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; west end of H-1 | ||
| 1.12 | 1A | Campbell Industrial Park, Barbers Point Harbor (Route 95) | Signed as exit 1 westbound | |
| 1.18 | 1B | Makakilo, Kapolei Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city.... , Kalaeloa |
Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 2.21 | 2 | Makakilo, Kapolei Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city.... , Kalaeloa (Route 901) |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |
| 3 | Kapolei, Ewa Ewa Ewa can refer to:In geography:* Eastern Washington* 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii, unincorporated Census-designated place * Ewa Villages, Hawaii, an unincorporated community in the U.S... |
Formerly North-South Road , now designated Route 8390. | ||
| Waipahu | 6.49 | 5 | Signed as exits 5A (south) and 5B (north) westbound | |
| 8.20 | 7 | Waikele, Waipahu | ||
| 9.40 | 8 | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; signed as exits 8A (south) and 8C (north) | ||
| 9.74 | 8B | Signed as exit 8A westbound | ||
| 8B | Waipahu (Route 7101) | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| Pearl City Pearl City, Hawaii Pearl City is a census-designated place located in the Ewa District and City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 47,698. Pearl City is located along the north shore of Pearl Harbor. ʻAiea borders Pearl City to the east, while Waipahu... |
11.62 | 10 | Pearlridge, Pearl City Pearl City, Hawaii Pearl City is a census-designated place located in the Ewa District and City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 47,698. Pearl City is located along the north shore of Pearl Harbor. ʻAiea borders Pearl City to the east, while Waipahu... , Waimalu |
|
| Halawa Halawa, Hawaii Halawa is a census-designated place in the ‘Ewa District of Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. Halawa Stream branches into two valleys: North and South Halawa; North Halawa is the larger stream and fluvial feature. Their confluence is within the H-3/H-201 highways exchange. Most of Halawa... |
14.20 | 13A | ||
| 14.61 | 13B | Signed as 13A eastbound | ||
| 13B | Halawa Heights, Aloha Stadium Aloha Stadium Aloha Stadium is a stadium located in the Halawa CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Currently Aloha Stadium is home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team... (Route 7241) |
Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| Honolulu Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and... |
16.65 | 15A | , Aloha Stadium Aloha Stadium Aloha Stadium is a stadium located in the Halawa CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Currently Aloha Stadium is home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team... |
Westbound exit and eastbound entrance |
| 16.85 | 15B | Signed as 15 eastbound | ||
| 16.06 | 15 | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| 17.77 | 16 | Honolulu International Airport Honolulu International Airport Honolulu International Airport is the principal aviation gateway of the City & County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii and is identified as one of the busiest airports in the United States, with traffic now exceeding 21 million passengers a year and rising.It is located in the Honolulu... |
||
| 19.60 | 18 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 19.12 | 18A | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| 19.34 | 18B | Dillingham Boulevard, Middle Street (Route 7415) | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 20.36 | 19A | Middle Street (Route 7415) | Westbound exit only | |
| 20.36 | 19B | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 20.56 | 20A | |||
| 20B | Houghtailing Street | Westbound exit only | ||
| 20.80 | 20B | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| 21.35 | 20C | Palama Street | Westbound exit only | |
| 21A | School Street | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 22.31 | 21A | Signed as exit 21B westbound | ||
| 22.77 | 21B | Punchbowl Street | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 22 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |||
| 23.10 | 22 | Kinau Street | Eastbound exit and entrance | |
| 23 | Lunalilo Street | No eastbound exit | ||
| 24.06 | 23 | Punahou Street | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 25.07 | 24A | Bingham Street | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 24A | Wilder Avenue | Westbound exit only | ||
| 25.30 | 24B | University Avenue | ||
| 25.62 | 25A | King Street - Waikiki, Honolulu Zoo Honolulu Zoo The Honolulu Zoo is a zoo located in Queen Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. It is the only zoo in the United States to be established by grants made by a sovereign monarch, and is built on part of the royal Queen Kapiolani Park. The Honolulu Zoo now features over 1,230 animals in... |
||
| 25B | Kapiolani Boulevard | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 26.10 | 25B | 6th Avenue | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 26.83 | 26A | Koko Head Avenue | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
| 27.53 | 26B | Waialae Avenue | Signed as exit 26 westbound | |
| 28.16 | 27 | Kilauea Avenue | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | |
| Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; east end of H-1 |
Auxiliary routes
- A portion of the Moanalua Freeway is designated as Interstate H-201Interstate H-201Interstate H-201 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway located on the island of O‘ahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The H-201 is also known as the Moanalua Freeway...
. Until mid-2004, it was signed as Route 78.