Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Hawaii’s “Aloha” Crosswalk and the Tyranny of Standard Street Designs

This "Aloha" crosswalk is delighting crowds and vexing public officials. Why? Image: Strong Towns
This "Aloha" crosswalk is delighting crowds and vexing public officials. Why? Photo: Strong Towns
false

Honolulu's clever "Aloha" crosswalk, the handiwork of some anonymous artists, is eliciting admiration and smiles throughout the continental United States. But local officials aren't so happy, calling the intervention an act of vandalism and a safety concern.

Nathaniel Hood at Strong Towns says the official reaction to a harmless crosswalk alteration speaks volumes about how rigid our street design standards have become:

Now, we have something in the neighborhood that residents like. It was never planned. No one had a meeting about it. Someone just wanted to make their neighborhood a better place and they just did it. Unfortunately, making your neighborhood a little more Aloha violates the Standard.

Here’s where it hurts us most. Does anyone really think the Aloha crosswalks are dangerous? Come on, don’t be stupid. It’s within the original template, works within the lines, and was painted only on the less busy side street crosswalks.

To have a standard that is so inflexible is to say that we’ve perfected intersection crosswalks. We haven’t. Especially Hawaii which has some of the highest rates of pedestrian automobile-related deaths in the United States. This is where the City of Honolulu should be asking themselves: what has the standard gotten us? A whole lot of places people don’t enjoy being?

Hood offers this example of a road that meets with official approval, saying, "You can tell this road hits the Standard because every single house has decided to build a wall blocking it from view."

Image: Strong Towns
Image: Strong Towns
false

Elsewhere on the Network today: Greater Greater Washington takes a look at the parking lot that redefined retail in 1931. Walkable Dallas-Fort Worth attempts to compare the costs of congestion with the costs of car dependence. And Tucson Velo explains three laws under review in Arizona that could make the state better for biking.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts

Queens elected officials rallied together to oppose e-scooters, but they are flat out wrong, DOT says.

September 17, 2024

Even 500 Episodes In, Jeff Wood Isn’t Done Exploring Everything Cities Can Be

Streetsblog's most prolific podcaster looks back on his legacy, and explores what's coming next.

September 17, 2024

Streetsblog to DOT: We’ll See You in Court — Again!

Streetsblog is quite a FOIL to the Department of Transportation!

September 17, 2024

Carmageddon: Shift to Remote Work Led to Increase in Driving and Congestion Nationally

Driving miles are higher today than they were before the pandemic, even though more Americans than ever still work from home.

September 17, 2024

Tuesday’s Headlines: Make McGuinness Safe Edition

The mayor's failure to implement the full road diet on McGuinness Boulevard continues to have terrible repercussions. Plus other news.

September 17, 2024
See all posts