Another important link was added yesterday to improving traffic flow in West O'ahu with the opening of the Kapolei Parkway's 'Ewa Plains connection.

Haseko (Hawai'i) Inc. and Gentry Homes Ltd., developers of Ocean Pointe in 'Ewa Beach and 'Ewa by Gentry and Sun Terra South, opened a 1.35-mile stretch of the parkway that connects the two master-planned developments.

The connection offers an alternative route to Fort Weaver Road, said Bob Brandt, president/CEO of Gentry Homes.

"Residents will now be able to drive, bike or walk on Kapolei Parkway to do their grocery shopping, drop off their children at school, go to baseball practice, and visit friends and family without having to drive on the congested Fort Weaver Road," Brandt said in a written statement. "They will also have a more direct access to Kalaeloa and eventually, the City of Kapolei."

Haseko spokeswoman Sharene Saito Tam said the developers agreed to build six lanes rather than the two specified in the 'Ewa Highway Master Plan because the new connection is expected to be a "preferred route" for residents.

'Ewa by Gentry has more than 6,500 homes and plans to construct 2,400 more. When completed, Haseko's Ocean Pointe will have 4,850 homes — more than twice the number now there — and will include a commercial job center and the Hoakalei Resort.

Haseko and Gentry invested about $18.5 million to design, construct and fund their portions of the Kapolei Parkway.

Haseko's commitment extends from Papipi Road to its Ocean Pointe residential community bordering 'Ewa by Gentry. From that point, Gentry extended the parkway connection toward its Sun Terra South community. Gentry completed a segment of the parkway from the OR&L right-of-way to the southern end of the Sun Terra South community 10 years ago, while Haseko completed a section from Keone'ula Boulevard to Kaimalie Street in 2005.

The city opened a portion of the railroad right-of-way to Renton Road in 'Ewa Villages last month. The state has completed a portion through the Villages of Kapolei.

When completed, the Kapolei Parkway will provide a direct route from 'Ewa Beach to the Ko Olina Resort & Marina. The project is a joint effort of Haseko, Gentry Homes, city, state, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Kapolei Property Development, an affiliate of the Estate of James Campbell.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.