Expect Fewer Waikiki Street Closures in 2007

The Honolulu city Council has approved limiting Waikiki street closures for parades and other special events to 39 per year. The limit became necessary because almost 60 Waikiki street closure permits were issued in 2005 and 2006, and the closures are becoming very expensive for the city and disruptive to visitors and residents. Waikiki street closures will be limited to 14 legacy events, 15 closures for other parades, protests, city events, and athletic events, and 10 mayoral exemptions. Legacy events are those which have been held in Waikiki for 15 years or more, such as the Honolulu Marathon, the King Kamehameha Day Parade, and the Aloha Festival Floral Parade.