Interstate H-2

Intertate H2
History
North End
South End
I-H2 - Honolulu, HI

Vintage I-H2 sign. Most button copy signs in Hawaii were replaced by 2010. Photo by Jeff Royston (02/01/06).

Overview

Interstate H-2 travels northward from Pearl City and Waipahu to Wahiawa and Wheeler Army Airfield. The route primary serves commuting interests between central Oahu and and Honolulu while also providing part of a through route with Route 99 (Kamehameha Highway) to the north shore.

Route Information

  • North End – Pearl City, HI

  • South End – Wahiawa, HI

  • Branch Routes – 0

  • Mileage – 8.33

  • Cities – Honolulu

  • Junctions –

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

Oahu Hawaii - 1973
Interstate H-2 under construction in 1973.

Interstate H-2 replaced Route 99 as the through route between Wahiawa and Pearl City. The freeway is named the Veterans’ Memorial Freeway, with signs posted at each end.


I-H2 starts out paralleling Panakauahi Gulch just east of Waipio. Beyond there, an undeveloped stretch ensues before the freeway curves west across Kipapa Stream through built up areas of Mililani Town and Waipi’o Acres. Crossing a viaduct above Waikakalaua Stream and Waikalani Drive, H2 weaves northward through western reaches of Schofield Barracks to encircle Wheeler AAF. The freeway ends as Wilikina Drive (Route 99) ahead of Kunia Road (Route 750).

History

Interstate H-2 was included in the 51.2 miles of freeway added to the Eisenhower Interstate and Defense Highway System in 1960.1 Construction on I-H2 commenced in 1972 and was finished in 1975.

Highway Guides

South End   – Pearl City, Hawaii

South at

I-H2 south at I-H1 - Oahu

Southbound Interstate H2 ends at a three wye interchange with I-H1 at Pearl City. Photo by Oscar Voss (11/01).

East at

I-H1 east at I-H2 - Waipahu, HI

I-H1 converges with the south end of I-H2 just beyond the community of Waipahu at Left Exit 8 B. 08/15/19

I-H1 east at I-H2 - Waipahu, HI

Exit 8 A to SR 99 south to SR 7101 (Farrington Highway) and Exit 8 C for SR 99 (Kamehameha Highway) north to Waipio depart in quick succession adjacent to the three-wye interchange (Exit 8 B) with I-H2 north. 08/15/19

I-H1 east at I-H2 - Waipahu, HI

Left Exit 8 B leaves Interstate H1 eastbound beyond the Waipahu Street overpass at Waipahu. I-H1 continues east to Pearl City while I-H2 heads north to Wahiawa. 08/15/19

I-H1 east at I-H2 - Waipahu, HI

SR 99 (Kamehameha Highway) parallels I-H2 to the west northward to Mililani and Waipio Acres. The two meet directly at the north end of the freeway by Wheeler Army Airfield. 08/15/19

West at

I-H1 west at I-H2 - Oahu

Traffic separates along I-H1 west for I-H2 north to Mililani and Schofield Barracks. I-H1 turns southwest beyond this exchange en route to Waipahu and Barbers Point. Photo by Jeff Royston (02/01/06).

North End –  – Wahiawa, Hawaii

North at

I-H2 north at Route 99 - Oahu

Interstate H-2 ends at the freeway merge with Route 99 (Wilikina Drive) west of Route 80 (Kamehameha Highway). Photo by Oscar Voss (11/01).

Sources:

  1. History of Interstate H-3 by the Hawaii Department of Transportation

Page updated July 4, 2022.