Interstate H-2 is a 8.33 mile freeway which runs the north/south on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu. Interstate H-2 begins from the terminus of Interstate H-1 in at Pearl City and treks northward to a terminus at Hawaii Route 99 in Wahiawā. Interstate H-2 is the primary highway connecting Naval Station Pearl Harbor to Wheeler Army Airfield. Pictured above is Interstate H-2 southbound beginning in Wahiawā.
Part 1; the history of Interstate H-2
Prior to the Statehood the first signed highways within Hawaii Territory came into existence during World War II. During World War II the territory of Hawaii saw an influx of military activity following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Numerous Military Routes and early Hawaii Routes were signed through the Hawaiian Territory to aid military personnel in navigating the islands. Military Highways were assigned US Route style shields whereas lesser highways were assigned an early variation of what is now the Hawaii Route Spade.
A 1946 Army Map of the Island of O'ahu shows the primary road between Pearl City Wahiawā as part of Military Route 1 which was signed on the Kamehameha Highway. A full version of the 1946 Army Map of O'ahu can be seen on hawaiihighways.com here.
Circa 1955 following the conclusion of World War II the United States Bureau of Public Roads renumbered the Hawaii Route System. The 1955 Hawaii Route Renumbering saw most of the conventions utilized by the current Hawaii State Route System established. Primary Hawaii Routes were given two digit numbers whereas Secondary Hawaii Routes were given three digit numbers. The Hawaii Routes were assigned in sequence for what Island/County they were located on coupled with what Federal Aid Program number they were tied to. In the case of O'ahu the Island was assigned numbers in the range of 60-99. In the case of the Kamehameha Highway in the Pearl City-Wahiawā corridor it was assigned part of Hawaii Route 99. A far more detailed explanation of the 1955 Hawaii Route Renumbering can be found at hawaiihighways.com here.
Hawaii Route 99 in the Pearl City-Wahiawā corridor can be on the 1959 Gousha Road Map of Hawaii.
On August 21st, 1959 Hawaii became the 50th State which saw it's profile rise significantly. The Interstate System in Hawaii was authorized as part of the 1960 Statehood Act. The 1960 Statehood Act authorized Interstates H-1, H-2 and H-3 on the Island of O'ahu.
Unlike the other Interstate corridors of O'ahu Interstate H-2 was relatively uncontroversial and three general routing options were discussed via public hearing during October 1962. Construction of the Wahiawā Interchange would begin during 1971. The first two northbound miles of Interstate H-2 opened to traffic from Interstate H-1 to Mililani Cemetery on October 3rd, 1974. The opening ribbon cutting ceremony of the first two miles of Interstate H-2 can be seen in the October 4th, 1974 Honolulu Advisor.
Interstate H-2 originally opened with Bus Lanes which were turned into High Occupancy Use by 1979. Since opening Interstate H-2 has seen only small changes such as the Ka Uka Boulevard Interchange opening in 1989. Interstate H-2 was designated the Veterans Memorial Freeway in 2002.
Part 2; a drive on Interstate H-2 northbound
During 2019 Dan Murphy of Roadwaywiz and Gribblenation drove the entire Interstate H-2 corridor while visiting O'ahu. Interstate H-2 begins from westbound Interstate H-1 Exit 8A.
Control City signage on Interstate H-2 notes the Ka Uka Boulevard as 1 mile away, Mililani as 4 miles away and Wahiawā as 7 miles away.
Interstate H-2 northbound Exit 2 accesses Ka Uka Boulevard whereas Exit 5 accesses Mililani/Mauka.
Interstate H-2 northbound Exit 7 accesses Hawaii Route 99 and provides access to Wheeler Army Airfield by way of Leilehua Road.
Interstate H-2 northbound Exit 8 accesses Hawaii Route 80 in Wahiawā. As Interstate H-2 northbound terminates it transitions on Hawaii Route 99 on Wilikina Drive.
Below Interstate H-2 northbound can be viewed in real time on the Roadwaywiz Youtube Channel.
Part 3; a drive on Interstate H-2 southbound
Interstate H-2 southbound begins at split with Hawaii Route 99/Kamehameha Highway which is signed as Exit 9.
Interstate H-2 southbound Exit 8 also accesses Hawaii Route 99/Kamehameha Highway at Wahiawā.
The Veterans Memorial Freeway signage on Interstate H-2 southbound.
Interstate H-2 southbound Exit 5 accesses Mililani.
Interstate H-2 southbound accesses Ka Uka Boulevard.
Interstate H-2 southbound terminates at Interstate H-2 via Exits 1A and 1B.
Below Interstate H-2 can be viewed in real time on the Roadwaywiz Youtube Channel.
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