Interstate H1 - Hawaii Travel Information

Interstate H1 / Lunalilo Freeway / Queen Liliuokanai Freeway

Hawaii's oldest and most congested freeway, H-1 is the primary freeway along the south shore of Oahu. Beginning at the former Barbers Point NAS and Ewa plantation, it proceeds east around Pearl Harbor, dives south to serve Honolulu International Airport, then east through densely populated Honolulu and north of Waikiki Beach, to end short of Koko Head.

Portions of H-1 predate statehood, as an upgrade of Lunalilo Street, the freeway's namesake. The oldest section, from Punahou street east to King Street (Exits 23-25), was open before 1959. Originally signed as Hawaii 72, this section shows its age today, as it resembles freeways in downtown Los Angeles more than a present-day freeway.

H-1 is notoriously congested at all hours of the day, with little to no room for expansion. Hawaii DOT has some unique features on the western segment, including an HOV lane during morning rush hour where two westbound lanes are converted into an eastbound HOV lane. Some sections have been widened as time permits, but with the rapid growth of the Ewa area as a bedroom community for Honolulu, traffic will continue to worsen as time goes on.

The following timeline shows the general construction of Hawaii 72, later renumbered as H-1.

1953. First section of the Mauka Arterial opened. The Mauka arterial was approximately a mile section around University Avenue, present-day Mile 24.
1959. At statehood, the first section of what is now called the Lunalilo Freeway open between Punahou Street (Mile 23) and King Street (Mile 25). Maps show a proposed route from Punahou Street west to Middle Street (present H-1/H-201 interchange).
1960. Freeway extended west to Ke'eaumoku Street (approximately 1/2 mile west of Punahou Street). A section of present-day H-201 opened thru Fort Shafter, signed as Hawaii 72. Sections from Fort Shafter east to Houghtailing Street (Exit 20B) and the Pali Highway interchange (exit 21A/B) under construction.
1961. Open sections are Pu'uloa Road (present-day H-201) to Houghtailing Street (Exit 20B), the Pali Highway interchange, and Ke'eaumoku Street to King Street.
1964. The section from Kapahulu Street (Mile 25) east to Koko Head Ave (Exit 26A) under construction.
1965. Kapahulu Street to Koko Head Ave open. There is a gap in existing freeway sections between King Street and Kapahulu Street; this short 1/2 mile section is under construction.
1967. H-1 first appears on maps, cosigned with Hawaii 72. The freeway is continuous from Pu'uloa Road east to Pele Street (just east of Pali Highway, Hawaii 61), as well as the existing sections from Ke'eaumoku Street to King Street and Kapahulu Street to Koko Head Ave. The western section between Kunia Road and Kamehameha Highways (Exits 5 through Exit 8A) is open, with the section between Miles 0 and 5 under construction.
1968. The gap between King Street and Kapahulu Street is opened. H-1 is extended east to it's present terminus east of Kilauea Ave. There is still a gap between Pele Street and Ke'eaumoku Street.
1972. H-1 is open from Kamehameha Highway (Western terminus) to Kaimakani Street, immediately west of the Halawa interchange. The Hawala interchange and sections of H-1 to Middle Street are proposed. From Middle Street east to Kilauea Ave is completed freeway. Hawaii 72 is trunced at the eastern end of H-1; the orphaned section between Pu'uloa Road and Middle Street is re-signed as Hawaii 78.
1986. H-1 is completed between Nimitz Highway and Middle Street (Miles 18-19), completing H-1. The thru lanes of H-1 east use the Middle Street tunnel, completed in 1961 for the Middle Street off-ramp.

Many thanks to Joel Windmiller for his help in creating this timeline.

Interstate H1 Westbound
	Advance signage for the Kapiolani Interchange, exit 25.
	At the Kapiolani Interchange. Exit 25B takes an overpass over H-1. Use King Street for access to Waikiki. Notice the reduced speed limit through the interchange, reflecting entry on the oldest (pre-1959) section of the Lunalilo Freeway.
	Advance signage for the Manoa interchange.
	Use Exit 24B, the Manoa interchange for access to the University of Hawaii.
	Approaching the Punahou underpass, signs appear on both directions to indicate a possible road closure. This is due to the underpass at Punahou which is subject to flooding. This picture was shot at 2:30 on a weekday; notice the stop and go traffic already happening on the oldest stretch of the congested Lunalilo Freeway.
	A nonstandard H-1 shield placed at the Wilder Avenue on-ramp. This is not actually the ramp at this point - drivers must make 2 more turns to actually get on H-1. There are 2 shields similiar to this along Westbound H-1 - the other is at the beginning of the freeway.
	H-1 at Exit 23, Lunalilo Street (the freeway's namesake). Notice the congested and narrow nature, despite this section opening in the late 1960s.
	Due to the short on-ramp at the Puowiana Interchange from Lunalilo Street, the onramp is blocked during the morning rush hour to force traffic onto Vineyard Blvd from Lunalilo, without entering H-1.
	H-1 at Exit 22, the Puowiana Interchange (which also marks the beginning of State 98, which loops from this exit to Exit 20).
	Looking under the Vineyard Blvd ramps (which are above us).
	H-1 at the Pali interchange. The Pali Highway is one of three Trans-Koolau highways (the others being the Likelike Highway - HI-63, and H-3).
	A collector/distributor setup is in place at the Pali Highway exit.
	Advance signage for the next three exits (20C-A, in order). Exits on the Lunalilo section of H-1 are very closely spaced, reflecting the density of the older sections of Honolulu and Waikiki.
	Rush hour ahoy! Here, before Houghtailing Street, State 98 rejoins H-1 - the terminal shield can be seen on the right.
	A very short offramp marks Houghtailing Street.
	Approaching the H-1 and H-201/78 split is this mileage sign.
	Rounding the curve to the Kalihi interchange, exit 20A, serving the Likelike highway (state 63).
	The Kahauiki Interchange was designed when Hawaii 72 was the thru route. When H-1 was routed to serve the airport and Pearl Harbor, the non-standard junction was created where H-1 traffic has to exit the mainline, and H-201 (formerly Hawaii 78) continues in the main lanes.
	As we enter the Queen Lilioukanai Freeway, on the final curve before the Nimitz Highway viaduct (and the end of the 1986 section of H-1), the Keehi interchange serves Nimitz Highway.
	On the Nimitz Viaduct (the longest bridge in Hawaii). H-1 was built on top of the Nimitz and Kamehameha highways, and offers direct service to Honolulu International Airport. Notice the change in character of the freeway, from a dense Los Angeles style to a much more open freeway.
	Use H-1 for easy airport access.
	The right lane becomes the airport entrance. Ahead is Hawaii 92 and Pearl Harbor.
	Leaving the Nimitz viaduct, approaching the Pearl Harbor interchange. Use Hawaii 99 for the USS Arizona (see next picture).
	In a classic sign goof that has never been corrected, the road to the USS Arizona Memorial is marked with the old route (90), when it is actually part of Hawaii 99 (the Kamehameha Highway).
	Now correctly signed as Hawaii 99. H-201 is still marked as Hawaii 78 on these overheads, passing the East Loch of Pearl Harbor and approaching the Halawa Interchange.
	The five lane configuration of H-1 west, with a carpool lane (during peak hours). The Carpool lane and adjacent lane are turned into a single eastbound lane for HOV traffic during rush hour, with the movable barrier shown on the far left.
	After Pearl Harbor, we enter the Halawa Interchange. Exit 13B marks the start of H-3 and H-201 (here marked Hawaii 78) east. Use H-1 to continue west toward Pearl City, Wheeler AAF (via H-2) and Waianae.
	Relatively dimunitive in this shot, the Halawa Interchange is notable for being spread out rather than a vertical stack.
	Curving under the mainline lanes of H-201, the exit for Hawaii 78 west (which will remain HI 78) is a loop exit from the right lane.
	Looking west at the five lane configuration of H-1 west after the Halawa Interchange. The Zipper lane is still in use here, and will be all the way to H-2.
	Exit 10 serves Pearl City and Waimalu, even though the road is actually Moanalua Road.
	Advance signage for H-2.
	Interestingly, both H-1 and H-2 are signed on this stretch of road, as H-1 to H-2. This sign assembly is very old, possibly dating back to original construction.
	Interestingly, advance signage for Exit 8A (H-2) appears before advance signage for Exit 8B, reflecting the importance of H-2.
	Exit 8B serves Waipahu, via the Farrington Highway (HI-93). This sign, like all others through this stretch of H-1, are some of the oldest on the freeway, still featuring aging button copy.
	Note the missing shield on this sign for Exit 8B. In the background are the first signs for the H-1 and H-2 split.
	These very old signs probably date back to original freeway construction in 1967.
	At the H-2 split, the right two lanes exit, leaving H-1 with 4 lanes to Ewa.
	The Ewa side of Oahu is developing rapidly, after the closure of Barbers Point NAS and growth pressures push more and more houses onto the old plantations west of Honolulu.
	Advance signage for both Paiwa street and HI-750 and HI-75, to Ewa beach.
	Exit 7, to Paiwa street and the Paiwa diamond interchange.
	Advance distance sign to Waianae, the end of the road. H-1 actually ends approximately 6 miles from this point, just west of Makakilo, but the control city is Waianae, further up the western shore of Oahu on the Farrington Highway (HI-93).
	Advance signage for the Kunia interchange.
	Use HI-750 (formerly HI-75 before being downgraded) to reach Kunia.
	HI-76 serves Ewa beach, travelling south from H-1.
	The Queen Liliuokanai freeway traverses open ranges and hills on it's way to Makakilo.
	Advance signage for exit 2, the Makakilo interchange. This is an interesting sign as it's the style usually reserved for freeway to freeway interchanges, rather than a city street.
	Exit 2, Makakilo Drive.
	A close-up of the exit diagram for the Makakilo exit.
	Approaching the final exit on H-1 west, the Palalai interchange.
	Just after the interchange, H-1 ends. This is the first warning sign that the freeway will be ending soon.
	As you round the curve, the Palalai interchange exits and the freeway ends.
	The end of the road. Immediately after this is a sign for Hawaii 93, where H-1 reverts to the Farrington Highway.

Site Navigation

Hawaii Interstate System Map - WestCoastRoads.com

Interstate H1 Eastbound
	Advance signage for the first exit, Exit 1A serving Barbers Point. This sign is actually located on Hawaii 93 at this point; H-1 does not begin until underneath the actual interchange.
	Exit 1A, the Palailai interchange.
	As you round the corner, the introduction sign for the Queen Lilioukanai Freeway welcomes us to H-1. Under the bridge is exit 1B, the Farrington Highway (Hawaii 93).
	Passing under the Makakilo overpass. Notice the street name on the overpass - this is a common feature of Hawaii interstates.
	Distance sign to Honolulu.
	Use the next three exits (5-8) for Waipahu.
	Advance signage for Exit 5, Hawaii 76/750 to Ewa and Waipahu.
	The right lane exits at the Kunia Interchange, Exit 5.
	In peak morning hours, a zipper lane is created out of 2 westbound lanes to serve eastbound traffic. This is the first advance signage of the crossover.
	The first crossover to the Zipper lane. The Zipper lane is for HOV traffic only, creating 2 HOV lanes for H-1 eastbound during the morning rush. The Zipper lane has no exits until Honolulu International Airport.
	Advance signage for Exit 7, the Paiwa interchange.
	A very old mileage sign to Waimalu and Honolulu.
	Approaching Exit 8A, signed Wahiawa and Pearl City but actually the Kamehameha Highway (Hawaii 99) south.
	H-2 is a left exit from H-1 east, reflecting the secondary nature of this connection. On the right side, Exit 8A leaves H-1 in the Waiawa interchange.
	Exit 8B departs H-1 for H-2 in this shot. On the right, exit 8C, the Kamehameha Highway (Hawaii 99) east splits from H-1.
	After merging with H-2, H-1 traverses the north side of Pearl Harbor. The high-rises are part of the Naval Station, which lies south of H-1.
	As we get closer to Honolulu, rain started during this photo shoot. Exit 10 serves Moanalua Road (signed Waimalu and Pearlridge) via the Waiau interchange.
	The left shoulder has been turned into a lane in this shot approaching the Halawa Interchange, Exit 13. The left three lanes continue through the interchange, while the right lane exits to H-3 and H-201 (still signed as HI-78 in this shot).
	In the Halawa interchange. Exit 13B serves Halawa Heights and Aloha Stadium via the remaining short segment of Hawaii 78 west of H-1.
	Looking at Zipper Lane signage just south (east) of the Halawa interchange.
	The missing shields are for Hawaii 92 in this shot of Exit 15.
	On the Nimitz Viaduct. The right three lanes exit, leaving only 2 mainline freeway lanes. This is designed to shunt the majority of downtown traffic off the Lunalilo Freeway onto the Nimitz Highway.
	Four of the six lanes exit as soon as the Nimitz Viaduct ends.
	After the right three lanes exit, the right lane exits to Dillingham Blvd and Middle Street.
	Entering the Middle Street curve and tunnel. This short stretch of freeway, completed in 1986, was the final link of H-1 to be opened. The tunnel was built in 1961 as part of the original Kahauiki Interchange, and due to it's sharp approach curve, the freeway has a speed limit of 35 MPH around this curve. Rumble strips warn of the impending curve.
	After we come out of the Middle Street tunnel, look what awaits us! Rush hour traffic (this was shot at 2 PM on a Tuesday for reference).
	The right lane of what was H-1 exits to the Likelike Highway, leading to an awkward merge situation for thru traffic on H-1 merging into traffic from H-201.
	The 1961-vintage Likelike Highway exit, with a low clearance (substandard) bridge behind it.
	A panoramic shot of H-1 east of the Likelike highway.
	Moving closer to the high-rises of Waikiki, H-1 retains its three lanes each direction, with no hope of ever being widened.
	Advance signage for the Punahou Street exit. This exit was widened in 2003 to its present two lanes, which befits this interchange as it is the major access from H-1 into Waikiki.
	The Punahou Street Exit. East of this interchange, H-1 enters a low dip that is prone to flooding, as the street level freeway goes below grade to meet Punahou Street. This is the second-oldest section of H-1.
	Exit 24A, Bingham Street.
	Exit 24B, University Ave. This is the oldest stretch of H-1, reflected in the 45 MPH speed limit. This short section of H-1 is extremely narrow and has substandard, sharp curves.
	Advance signage for King Street.
	Now at the east end of Waikiki, advance signage for 6th Ave.
	Exit 25B, 6th Avenue.
	Advance signage for Koko Head Avenue, exit 26A.
	At Koko Head Avenue, H-1 loses the third lane and reverts to a two lane configuration eastbound. There is just over a mile of freeway left at this point.
	Exit 26A, Koko Head Avenue.
	Advance signage for the Waialae interchange.
	Exit 26B, Waialae Avenue. This is the last exit on H-1 east. Notice how the overhead sign is placed a good distance ahead of the actual exit, due to the bridge above the exit and curve under the bridge.
	End freeway 1/2 mile.
Scenes Pertaining to Interstate H1
	Interstate H1 Hawaii trailblazer posted in Waikiki Beach near the Exit 25 interchange of the Lunalilo Freeway. Non-cutout trailblazers such as this often feature the state name for Interstate H1 on Oahu Island. Cutout shields are generally neutered otherwise. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (01/99).

Page Updated March 18, 2005.