Obama arrives in Honolulu; H-1 eastbound closed to traffic

Update 6:10 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and Mayor Kirk Caldwell greeted the president after he exited Air Force One shortly after landing. The president briefly shook hands with members of the military gathered to witness his arrival, and took a photo with Caldwell. He was then taken by motorcade to the East-West Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The ride promises to be quick with the eastbound H-1 and other roads on the way to Manoa closed to all traffic.

Update 6 p.m.

President Barack Obama arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam aboard Air Force One just before 6 p.m. and Honolulu police were shutting down H-1 eastbound and overpasses. The president will be traveling by motorcade to the East-West Center in Manoa where he will give a speech at 6:30 p.m.

Previous coverage

President Barack Obama left Lake Tahoe, Nev., for Honolulu this afternoon for a quick visit that will include an East-West Center speech on protecting the environment, a day trip to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and traffic … lots of traffic.

Rush hour came early as commuters left work early ahead of the president’s motorcade. From about 3 p.m. until after 5 p.m., traffic backed up on the freeway and surface streets in town as commuters tried to get to where they were going before the chance of a freeway shutdown starting as early as 4 p.m.

Read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/breaking-news/motorists-urged-to-avoid-traveling-to-town-during-obama-visit/