On Thursday, instead of a slow-down, traffic will come to a standstill with the arrival of one of 21 world leaders here for APEC.
Street closures here at the convention center have certainly caused traffic problems, but drivers haven't seen anything yet.
The city said traffic lights will be adjusted to speed things up in certain areas when it's possible.
But delays are ahead in a different area Thursday morning -- shutdowns of major freeways are likely.
The city gave a heads up to leeward and Central Oahu drivers for Thursday morning -- expect significant delays.
"There will be multiple occasions where law enforcement must temporarily block roads to allow certain dignitaries in town for APEC to travel securely throughout oahu," says Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle.
This as world leaders land on Oahu and head into Waikiki.
Honolulu police have said only what they call the "high-three" will get such shutdowns when their officials are en route -- that's Russia, China or the U.S.
"Specific roads are yet to be determined by the secret service but this include major roadways such as the H-1 Freeway and Nimitz Highway," says Mayor Carlisle.
Without routes or times being known, drivers and businesses in the area are bracing.
"We try to plan as much as we can, but unfortunately they're really quiet about what's going on, so hoping that it won't be during rush hour morning traffic," says Nicole Otani, D. Otani Produce.
"We usually leave an hour early, we haven't had an problems lately, but tomorrow, we're not sure if it's the top or the bottom, and we don't even know what time they're coming right?," says Arlene Benavente of Waipahu.
Another of the "high three" nations arrives Friday morning, and President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive late Friday evening.
"We sent out notices to our customers that hopefully they will be patient knowing that there may be delays, try to bulk up in the earlier part of this week," says Otani.
The city says expect more temp closures throughout the weekend.
"I have class on the weekend and they told us it might affect us on the weekend too, so that might be a little bit frustrating, and i'm sure it's frustrating for everybody else," says Ria Kim, Salt Lake resident.
Of course the big traffic warning comes on Sunday, November 13th, so consider this a preview of Sunday when all 21 delegations head from Waikiki to Ko Olina, the freeway, connecting roads and pedestrian bridges will be off limits in the morning.
When the high threes move again afterward, more shutdowns. the mayor and other officials have called it a possible "carmageddon."
