The start of classes last week at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was accompanied by the first stages to replace the approximately 60-year-old underground water mains located west of University Avenue. Three main streets in that area - Metcalf, Hunnewell and Ho‘onanea - will be affected by the $1 million Punahou Water System Improvement project, which is expected to be finished in one year.           This Board of Water Supply maintenance project officially began last Monday, with surveyors plotting out underground utilities such as gas lines. Major excavation and digging, however, could begin as early as this week along the first projected area on Hunnewell Street between Vancouver Drive and Seaview Avenue. With road work for the project being conducted weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., lane closures are expected to have an impact on local traffic in the area.           Su Shin, the chief communications officer for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, said that the project will be conducted in three phases to minimize the effects of lane closures on local traffic and residents living in those areas. "The impact to parking and traffic isn't going to happen for a little while longer," Shin said. "It kind of depends on how the work progresses."           The schedule for the Punahou Water System Improvement project is divided into three sections representing the three streets where excavation and repairs will be conducted. The first phase consists of construction along Hunnewell Street from Lanihuli Drive to Seaview Avenue, the second along Metcalf Street from University Avenue to Farrington Street and the third along Ho‘onanea Street from Metcalf to Dole streets.           The UHM campus itself will not be affected by the construction, however, the second phase of road work along Metcalf Street, from University Avenue to Farrington Street, is expected to have the largest impact on local traffic and public parking during the construction period.           The current water pipes underneath these Mānoa streets have experienced 28 water main breaks since their installment. According to Shin, the start of this project was scheduled in close proximity to the commencement of university and public school classes because the Board of Water Supply had to prioritize their maintenance based on how water improvements are mapped out.           However, she emphasized that this proactive approach of replacing the pipes before any more breaks occur is much more effective. "With main breaks you don't plan them ... but with these projects we can go in and get the water lines replaced for the duration of the project. Then you have brand new infrastructure for the next 50 years."           Although this project will be upgrading the water system by installing new six- and eight-inch water pipes, water service to homes and businesses in that area are not expected to be severely impacted. In fact, Shin reassured that if construction requires water services to be suspended, it will only be for a matter of hours and that houses and businesses in those areas will be notified. "We have to take a new line and connect it to the old pipe. The old pipe will be in operation until the project is over. ... On a water line project, the temporary water service shut-off is very minimal," Shin said.           Despite minimal water service shutdowns, dozens of UHM students utilize the curbside parking along Metcalf Street on a daily basis. Brad Kreowski, a junior accounting major at UHM, is one of those students. Every weekday Kreowski and his girlfriend drive to their classes at UHM from their house in Pālolo Valley, and without a parking pass, the couple will have to look elsewhere for public parking.           Although this second phase won't begin for a few months, Kreowski is already displeased by the lack of parking available. "Parking over there is already ridiculous," he said. "But it's better than just leaving it (water mains). They've got to deal with it."           The Board of Water Supply will continue to keep the public updated with any new information. Drivers and residents are urged to check the Board of Water Supply Web site at http://www.boardofwatersupply.com for any new developments in the road work.