H-201 (formerly Hawaii 78) is a short, 4.7 mile loop freeway
between H-1 and H-3 at the Halawa Interchange, and H-1 at
Middle Street. Originally part of Moanalua Road, the road
was upgraded in stretches during the 1980's to a limited-access
freeway.
The oldest limited access section of H-201 was built as part
of HI-72 in 1959-1960, between the Kahauiki (now H-1/H-201)
interchange west to Moanalua Gardens (Puuloa Street). When
HI-72 was renumbered to H-1, the orphaned section of HI-72
became HI-78.
H-201 was included in the Interstate Highway system in 1989,
but remained signed as a state highway (78) until 2004. Hawaii
DOT prefers to keep traffic on H-1, with H-201 primarily serving
the communities of Moanalua, Salt Lake and Fort Shafter. However,
most local drivers use it as a shortcut to the longer H-1
between Waikiki and Ewa.
All photos taken December 7, 2004.
Interstate H201 (Hawaii 78) Eastbound
H-201 begins at the Halawa Interchange, and is signed
as H-201 for the full length eastbound. No shields exist
at this time. From the East, Moanalua Valley is signed
as Red Hill.
Looking up at H-201 from H-3 eastbound.
H-201 at Exit 2.
A wet shot (raining at time of photograph) of H-201
at Exit 3, the Airport. Ft. Shafter and King Street share
an offramp eastbound.
This is the last exit on H-201 eastbound - after this,
the freeway merges into H-1.
Notice no exit sign and the dual freeway.
H-201 West just after the split with H-1. Notice the
main thru lanes are for H-201, and H-1 mainline exits
to the right. The Kahauiki interchange is very old and
woefully underpowered, and was used to serve Middle Street
(using the H-1 exit) until 1986, when the short connection
between the Nimitz Highway viaduct and the H-1/H-201 interchange
opened.
Going under Middle Street (top), H-1 (middle level).
Just after the H-1 interchange, H-201 is still signed
alternately as Hawaii 78 and H-201. This is the Fort Shafter
Interchange, Exit 4 (which H-201 bisects).
Looking down on H-201 from the King Street on-ramp.
The exit to the right is for Fort Shafter; the left takes
you back on H-201.
At Exit 3, Puuloa Road. Use this exit to get to Honolulu
Airport, although most traffic uses H-1 instead.
Exit 2, Red Hill Interchange. Advance signage for the
Halawa Interchange and H-3 is present. Notice the rush
hour traffic.
At the Halawa Interchange, H-201 becomes Hawaii 78 again
for the short leg between H-1 and Nimitz Highway. The
majority of traffic exits to H-1, with some traffic continuing
north on H-3.
On the off-ramp from H-201 to H-3 East (which actually
goes north at this point). In the background is Aloha
Stadium and the rest of the Halawa Interchange.
