[1] The tunnels are named after former Honolulu Mayor John H. Wilson,[2] who built the first carriage road over the Nu‘uanu Pali in 1898.
While mayor, Wilson advocated a tunnel connecting Kaneohe with Honolulu through Kalihi Valley.
The City and County of Honolulu spent US$12 million on the tunnels and highway.
Five people died during their construction, and they were opened to traffic in November 1960.
[3] The tunnels are now maintained by the Hawaii State Department of Transportation.