View source for Interstate H-2

{{Short description|Interstate Highway in Hawaii, US}}
{{Confuse|Interstate 2}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox road
| state = HI
| route = 2
| type = I
| alternate_name = Veterans Memorial Freeway
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=290|frame-lat=21.444|frame-long=-158.010|zoom=11|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate H-2}}}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = H-2 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 8.33
| length_ref = <ref>{{cite web |last=Starks |first=Edward |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |access-date=January 22, 2023 |work=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]}}</ref>
| established = August 29, 1960
| history = Completed in 1977
| direction_a = South
| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=HI|I|1}} in [[Waipahu, Hawaii|Waipahu]]
| junction = 
| direction_b = North
| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=HI|Route|99}} in [[Wahiawa, Hawaii|Wahiawā]]
| counties = [[Honolulu County, Hawaii|Honolulu]]
| previous_type = I
| previous_route = 1
| next_type = I
| next_route = 3
}}

'''Interstate&nbsp;H-2''' ('''H-2''', named the '''Veterans Memorial Freeway''') is an intrastate [[Interstate Highway]] located on the island of [[Oʻahu]] in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The north–south freeway connects [[Interstate H-1|H-1]] in [[Pearl City, Hawaii|Pearl City]] to [[Mililani, Hawaii|Mililani]] and [[Wahiawa, Hawaii|Wahiawa]], where it terminates at [[Hawaii Route 99|Route&nbsp;99]] near [[Schofield Barracks]]. 

The Interstate System was expanded to Hawaii in 1960 along several corridors, with H-2 assigned to the north–south connection between the [[Honolulu]] area and Wahiawa. Construction began in 1971, and the first section opened to traffic on October 3, 1974. The rest of H-2 was completed on February 21, 1977.

==Route description==
[[File:2021-10-06 16 58 34 View south along Interstate H-2 (Veterans Memorial Freeway) just south of Exit 9 (Hawaii State Route 99) in Wahiawā, Oahu, Hawaii.jpg|thumb|left|H-2 southbound in Wahiawa]]

H-2 begins at the Waiawa Interchange with [[Interstate H-1|H-1]] in [[Pearl City, Hawaii|Pearl City]], adjacent to [[Leeward Community College]] on the north side of [[Pearl Harbor]]. The eight-lane freeway travels north through the residential [[Waipio, Hawaii|Waipio]] neighborhood and intersects Ka Uka Boulevard near several retailers and warehouses. H-2 then turns northeast and follows the Pānakauahi Gulch as it skirts the foothills of the [[Koʻolau Range]], passing a [[solar farm]] and undeveloped land.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shimogawa |first=Duane |date=January 29, 2015 |title=First Wind's major solar farm on Oahu's North Shore gets review from city |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2015/01/first-winds-major-solar-farm-on-oahus-north-shore.html |work=[[Pacific Business News]] |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119002825/https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2015/01/first-winds-major-solar-farm-on-oahus-north-shore.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The freeway turns northwest to cross Kipapa Gulch and bisects a residential neighborhood in the city of [[Mililani, Hawaii|Mililani]], where it intersects Meheula Parkway. The freeway narrows to four lanes as it approaches [[Wahiawa, Hawaii|Wahiawa]] and turns north to travel around [[Wheeler Army Airfield]]. H-2 terminates after an interchange with [[Hawaii Route 99|Route&nbsp;99]], which continues west on Wilikina Drive to [[Schofield Barracks]].<ref name="google">{{google maps |title=Interstate H-2 |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/21.3975054,-157.9860041/21.4904464,-158.0313924/@21.4439728,-158.0437345,16345m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0 |accessdate=November 15, 2021}}</ref>

The freeway is maintained by the [[Hawaii Department of Transportation]] (HDOT) and is designated as part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]], a network of economically and militarily strategic highways in the U.S.<ref>{{cite map |author=Federal Highway Administration |date=October 1, 2020 |title=National Highway System: Urban Honolulu, HI |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/hawaii/urban_honolulu_hi.pdf |scale=Scale not given |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |accessdate=November 14, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212151507/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/hawaii/urban_honolulu_hi.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> H-2 has a set of [[high-occupancy vehicle]] (HOV) lanes between the Waiawa Interchange and Mililani that are active during [[peak period]]s on weekdays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Special Use Lanes |url=https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/special-use-lanes/ |publisher=Hawaii Department of Transportation |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114220033/https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/special-use-lanes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Traffic volumes on the highway, measured in terms of [[annual average daily traffic]], ranged in 2020 from a minimum of 36,900&nbsp;vehicles at its northern terminus to a maximum of 87,900&nbsp;vehicles at H-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=HIDOT Highways Program Status |url=https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=39e4d804242740a89d3fd0bc76d8d7de |publisher=Hawaii Department of Transportation |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007163233/https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=39e4d804242740a89d3fd0bc76d8d7de |url-status=live}}</ref> [[TheBus (Honolulu)|TheBus]], a city-wide bus system, operates several express routes on H-2 between Downtown Honolulu and Wahiawa.<ref>{{cite map |date=September 2021 |title=Routes 83, 84, 84A, 96, 98, 98A, PH2, PH3, and 99 |url=http://www.thebus.org/route/Maps/rm83-PH2-PH3-84-84A-96-98-98A-99.pdf |publisher=[[TheBus (Honolulu)|TheBus]] |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119024128/http://www.thebus.org/route/Maps/rm83-PH2-PH3-84-84A-96-98-98A-99.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Planning and funding===
A set of Interstate Highways on O‘ahu were approved for funding by the U.S. Congress in 1960, a year after Hawaii was admitted as a state.<ref name="FHWA-History">{{cite web |last=Weingroff |first=Richard |title=Interstates in Hawaii: ARE WE CRAZY??? |url=https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/rambler/ask-rambler-interstates-hawaii-are-we-crazy |work=Ask the Rambler |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |access-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014175512/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/hawaii.cfm |url-status=live}}</ref> The corridors would connect Honolulu to [[Naval Air Station Barbers Point]] to the west, Schofield Barracks to the northwest, [[Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay]] to the northeast, and [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head]] to the southeast.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 19, 1960 |title=Freeways To Be Extended |page=39 |work=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969133/freeways-to-be-extended/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115084847/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969133/freeways-to-be-extended/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Bureau of Public Roads]] (now the [[Federal Highway Administration]]) approved "Interstate H-2" as the designation for the Schofield Barracks corridor on August 29, 1960.<ref name="FHWA-History"/>

The freeway would be built parallel to a section of the [[Kamehameha Highway]], which opened in 1921 to connect Honolulu to the [[North Shore (Oahu)|North Shore]] and the windward side of the island.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sigall |first=Bob |date=January 3, 2020 |title=Rearview Mirror: Kamehameha Highway possesses storied history |page=B6 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136172/rearview-mirror-kamehameha-highway/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118055139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136172/rearview-mirror-kamehameha-highway/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 5, 1962 |title=State Marks Kam Highway To Block Lane Leaners |page=B4 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136385/state-marks-kam-highway-to-block-lane/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118055133/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136385/state-marks-kam-highway-to-block-lane/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A set of three general routing options were presented at a [[public hearing]] in October 1962, all to be at least four lanes wide except for a section around Wheeler Army Airfield.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 7, 1962 |title=Freeway: Leeward Hearing Set For Tuesday |page=A7 |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136416/freeway-leeward-hearing-set-for-tuesday/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118055132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136416/freeway-leeward-hearing-set-for-tuesday/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The easternmost option, with an estimated cost of $29.2&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|29200000|1962}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|index=US-GDP}}) was chosen by officials following feedback from the hearing.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 10, 1962 |title=Route C Favored As Freeway Path |page=A2 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136523/route-c-favored-as-freeway-path/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118055137/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89136523/route-c-favored-as-freeway-path/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Construction of H-2 was scheduled to begin in 1967, but federal funding cuts deferred several Interstate projects on O‘ahu, including the Waiawa Interchange and Kipapa section of H-2.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lund |first=Kay |date=February 23, 1967 |title=Federal cutback throws H-1 plans into slow gear |page=C1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89137847/federal-cutback-throws-h-1-plans-into/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118055132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89137847/federal-cutback-throws-h-1-plans-into/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the partial restoration of federal funding,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lund |first=Kay |date=May 11, 1967 |title=Road plan zips into high |page=B4 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89138410/road-plan-zips-into-high/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118071154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89138410/road-plan-zips-into-high/ |url-status=live}}</ref> HDOT opened bids in November 1967 on construction of the Waiawa Interchange with H-1.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 8, 1967 |title=$4.5 Million HD&C Bid Lowest on H-1 Section |page=B6 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89138534/45-million-hdc-bid-lowest-on-h-1/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118071146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89138534/45-million-hdc-bid-lowest-on-h-1/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The remainder of H-2 remained indefinitely deferred, along with funding for H-3.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lund |first=Kay |date=May 16, 1968 |title=State pressing for H-1 completion |page=E8 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139481/state-pressing-for-h-1-completion/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118071157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139481/state-pressing-for-h-1-completion/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The federal government allocated $51&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|52000000|1968}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|index=US-GDP}}) for the entire H-2 project in October 1968,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 31, 1968 |title=U.S. funds for Pearl City to Wahiawa road |page=F1 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139537/us-funds-for-pearl-city-to-wahiawa/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118071156/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139537/us-funds-for-pearl-city-to-wahiawa/ |url-status=live}}</ref> allowing for bidding on other construction contracts to open.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 24, 1968 |title=One Bidder For Road Project |page=E4 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139532/one-bidder-for-road-project/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118071153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89139532/one-bidder-for-road-project/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The original embankment design of crossings for the Kipapa and Waikakalaua streams near Mililani was later replaced in 1971 with bridges to reduce costs and potential erosion issues.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 7, 1971 |title=High speed bridges to span 2 gulches |page=D2 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89182861/high-speed-bridges-to-span-2-gulches/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89182861/high-speed-bridges-to-span-2-gulches/ |url-status=live}}</ref> H-2 was described as "Hawaii's forgotten freeway" by local newspapers, as its planning was generally uncontroversial compared to other projects, such as [[Interstate H-3|H-3]], and did not attract the attention of anti-highway activists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hostetler |first=Harold |date=November 29, 1973 |title=Nobody complains about H-2 |page=C2 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187727/nobody-complains-about-h-2/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119031845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187727/nobody-complains-about-h-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HSB-1974">{{cite news |last=Smollar |first=David |date=June 16, 1974 |title='Forgotten' freeway proceeds smoothly |page=A3 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89188433/forgotten-freeway-proceeds-smoothly/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119031846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89188433/forgotten-freeway-proceeds-smoothly/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Construction and later projects===
Construction on the southernmost section of H-2 began in early 1971 with work on the Waiawa Interchange.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 13, 1971 |title=H-2 Hearing Tomorrow |page=C12 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89182829/h-2-hearing-tomorrow/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89182829/h-2-hearing-tomorrow/ |url-status=live}}</ref> By June 1973, [[grading (earthworks)|grading]] of the Pearl City–Kipapa section of the freeway was nearly complete and contracts for paving and interchange construction were prepared to be released.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 26, 1973 |title=Freeway work going smoothly |page=A10 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89186853/freeway-work-going-smoothly/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119025059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89186853/freeway-work-going-smoothly/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The remaining projects for H-2, with the exception of the Kipapa Gulch bridge, were contracted by August and under construction by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 21, 1973 |title=Everything's Booming on H-2 Improvements |page=C2 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187306/everythings-booming-on-h-2-improvements/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119025100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187306/everythings-booming-on-h-2-improvements/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 25, 1973 |title=Work to begin soon on H-2 |page=A16 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187491/work-to-begin-soon-on-h-2/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119025114/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89187491/work-to-begin-soon-on-h-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Work on the Waikakalaua Gulch bridge near Mililani began in December 1973,<ref>{{cite news |date=December 18, 1973 |title=H-2 Bridge Work to Begin |page=A21 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185224/h-2-bridge-work-to-begin/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185224/h-2-bridge-work-to-begin/ |url-status=live}}</ref> while the Kipapa Gulch bridge began the following year using a cantilevered truss system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tune |first=Jerry |date=April 7, 1976 |title=New Building Process Cuts Cost of Bridge |page=C7 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89192511/new-building-process-cuts-cost-of-bridge/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89192511/new-building-process-cuts-cost-of-bridge/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Construction on a section of the freeway near Wheeler Army Airfield unearthed the ruins of the Cabrini Chapel, a small church built by Italian [[prisoners of war]] housed at [[Sand Island (Hawaii)|Sand Island]] from 1944 to 1945.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Lyle |date=September 8, 1976 |title=WWII Footnote Frozen in Stone |page=C5 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89302684/wwii-footnote-frozen-in-stone/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121060329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89302684/wwii-footnote-frozen-in-stone/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The southernmost section of the freeway, traveling {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} from the Waiawa Interchange with H-1 to the Mililani Cemetery, was completed in early 1974.<ref name="HSB-1974"/> It was opened to traffic on October 3, 1974, after a temporary road through the cemetery was finished, connecting H-2 to the Kamehameha Highway near the Mililani Town development.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 4, 1974 |title=Ribbon cutting on H-2 |page=B6 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89188693/ribbon-cutting-on-h-2/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119031840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89188693/ribbon-cutting-on-h-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 16, 1977 |title=H-2 ceremony slated Monday |page=A2 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969044/h-2-ceremony-slated-monday/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115083335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969044/h-2-ceremony-slated-monday/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Part of the freeway's northern terminus at the Wahiawa Interchange opened in October 1975 to allow traffic to bypass a congested left turn on the Kamehameha Highway.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 3, 1975 |title=Part of Wahiawa Interchange Open |page=D16 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89192048/part-of-wahiawa-interchange-open/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89192048/part-of-wahiawa-interchange-open/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The final section of the freeway, including the Kipapa Gulch bridge, opened to traffic on February 21, 1977, after a delay while awaiting delivery of a [[transformer]] to control its lights.<ref>{{cite news |last=Imig |first=Joanne |date=January 13, 1977 |title=The Kokua Line |page=A3 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193290/the-kokua-line-jan-13-1977/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050539/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193290/the-kokua-line-jan-13-1977/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HSB-Open1977"/> The entirety of H-2 cost an estimated $43&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|43000000|1977}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|index=US-GDP}}) to construct.<ref name="HSB-Open1977">{{cite news |date=February 21, 1977 |title=Long-Awaited H-2 Freeway Opens |page=2 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969067/long-awaited-h-2-freeway-opens/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115083337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969067/long-awaited-h-2-freeway-opens/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The freeway's HOV lanes also opened at the same time, having been added to replace an earlier plan for exclusive [[bus lane]]s,<ref>{{cite news |last=Harpham |first=Anne |date=February 22, 1977 |title=New restricted lanes: destination mass transit |page=A1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969083/new-restricted-lanes-destination-mass/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115083335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969083/new-restricted-lanes-destination-mass/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Tune |first=Jerry |date=July 19, 1973 |title=State Proposes H-2 Bus Lane |page=B4 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193872/state-proposes-h-2-bus-lane/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119051255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193872/state-proposes-h-2-bus-lane/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but were eliminated in January 1979 due to low use.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 28, 1978 |title=State Will Eliminate H-2 Car-Pool Lanes |page=A3 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194017/state-will-eliminate-h-2-car-pool-lanes/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119052728/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194017/state-will-eliminate-h-2-car-pool-lanes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Construction of the freeway allowed for residential development in the [[Waipio Valley]] and around Mililani, which had been designed in conjunction with H-2 in the late 1960s.<ref name="HSB-Open1977"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Bill |date=December 17, 1967 |title=A Town With a Plan |page=D1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185023/a-town-with-a-plan/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020730/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185023/a-town-with-a-plan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A pair of sites along the highway were also considered in the 1970s for the [[University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu|second Oʻahu campus]] of the [[University of Hawaiʻi]], which was ultimately located at [[Kapolei, Hawaii|Kapolei]].<ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 1972 |title=UH eyeing 35 sites for Oahu 2nd campus |page=A13 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185094/uh-eyeing-35-sites-for-oahu-2nd-campus/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89185094/uh-eyeing-35-sites-for-oahu-2nd-campus/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A new interchange with Ka Uka Boulevard was opened in July 1989 to serve new development in Waipio.<ref>{{cite news |last=Killelea-Almonte |first=Patti |date=August 1, 1989 |title=Waipio Interchange to H-2 opens |page=A3 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193591/waipio-interchange-to-h-2-opens/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193591/waipio-interchange-to-h-2-opens/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Mililani Mauka, Hawaii|Mililani Mauka]] development opened in the 1990s after development closer to the freeway was approved.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tune |first=Jerry |date=January 4, 1987 |title=Mililani Mauka Plans For Housing, College Campus |page=B1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193433/mililani-mauka-plans-for-housing/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193433/mililani-mauka-plans-for-housing/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Glauberman |first=Stu |date=June 15, 1992 |title=Freeway exits multiply along with Oahu development |page=A3 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193516/freeway-exits-multiply-along-with-oahu/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119050531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89193516/freeway-exits-multiply-along-with-oahu/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Meheula Parkway interchange was rebuilt in 1993 to accommodate expected traffic and H-2 was widened to read the HOV lanes, which opened in December 1994.<ref>{{cite news |last=Engle |first=Murry |date=March 22, 1993 |title=New ramps coming for freeway drivers heading to Mililani |page=A4 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194231/new-ramps-coming-for-freeway-drivers/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119052726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194231/new-ramps-coming-for-freeway-drivers/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Morse |first=Harold |date=February 20, 1995 |title=Lane abuse frustrates commuters |page=A4 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194333/lane-abuse-frustrates-commuters/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119052725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89194333/lane-abuse-frustrates-commuters/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

H-2 was designated as the Veterans Memorial Freeway in 2002 by the state government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leidemann |first=Mike |date=October 29, 2002 |title=Governor renames Honolulu freeways |page=B1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969485/governor-renames-honolulu-freeways/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115092023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88969485/governor-renames-honolulu-freeways/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Exit list==
{{jcttop|exit|state=HI|county=Honolulu|length_ref=<ref name="google"/>}}
{{HIint|exit
|location=Waipahu
|mile=0.0
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=HI|I|1|city1=Honolulu|city2=Waianae}}
|notes=Signed as exits 1A (east) and 1B (west); exit 8 on H-1}}
{{HIint|exit
|location=Waipio
|mile=2.4
|exit=2
|road=Ka Uka Boulevard}}
{{HIint|exit
|location=Mililani
|mile=5.5
|exit=5
|road=[[Mililani Mauka, Hawaii|Mililani Mauka]], [[Mililani, Hawaii|Mililani Town]]
|notes=Access via Meheula Parkway; signed as exits 5A (Mauka) and 5B (Town) northbound}}
{{HIint|exit
|location=Waipio Acres
|mile=7.2
|type=incomplete
|exit=7
|road={{jct|state=HI|HI|99|dir1=north|road|Leilehua Golf Course Road|location1=[[Mililani, Hawaii|Mililani Tech Park]]|location2=[[Wheeler AAF]]}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance}}
{{HIint|exit
|location=Wahiawa
|lspan=3
|mile=7.4
|mile2=7.9
|exit=8
|road={{jct|state=HI|HI|99|dir1=north|city1=Wahiawa}}
|notes=Northbound exit is via [[Hawaii Route 80|Route 80]]}}
{{HIint|exit
|mile=8.3
|mspan=2
|type=incomplete
|exit=9
|road={{jct|state=HI|HI|99|dir1=south|name1=Kamehameha Highway}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance}}
{{HIint|exit
|mile=none
|exit=—
|road={{jct|state=HI|Route|99|dir1=north}}
|notes=Continues north as Wilikina Drive}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}
*{{commons category-inline|Interstate H-2}}

{{interstates}}

[[Category:Interstate Highway System|H2]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Transportation in Honolulu County, Hawaii]]