HAWAI'I KAI — After numerous requests, the city has agreed that a left-turn signal is needed to make it safer for shoppers going to the Hawai'i Kai Shopping Center.

There already is a traffic signal at the entrance to the center, but without a left-turn arrow, motorists heading makai on Keahole Street still have a hard time making the turn into the center anchored by Longs Drugs and Safeway, said Lester Muraoka, Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board chairman.

In the past five years, Hawai'i Kai has experienced growth the likes of which residents have not seen in 30 years.

The additional homes, townhomes and condominiums have added to the congestion in the community, residents have said.

"There's going to be more traffic with the new construction going up by the post office," said Robert Fowler, a member of the Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board. "At my age it (a leftturn signal) would make it safer for me to turn into the center. A light will increase the safety margin."

The city surveyed the area and determined that the left-turn arrow was needed based upon how long a wait motorists experienced and the number of cars attempting the left turn, said Paul Won, chief traffic engineer for the city's Department of Transportation Services.

The new light will have a left-turn arrow similar to the one that allows cars to turn into the Hawai'i Kai Towne Center just up the street. No details were available about when the light will be installed or how much it will cost.

Councilman Charles Djou's office said the left-turn signal was included in city financing that was recently approved by the council in a bill approving other traffic signals around the island. The city has 18 months from June to spend the money.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.