HONOLULU -- A planning group gave approval Tuesday to the first phase of the city's Bus Rapid Transit project.

The city wants to spend $20 million in federal money to widen the portion of Ala Moana Boulevard just past the Ala Wai Bridge going into Waikiki, just before the Hawaii Prince and Ilikai hotels. One new lane going into Waikiki would be reserved for buses only as part of the BRT. And a new lane leaving Waikiki would be for a mix of all vehicles.

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Four neighborhood boards near the route oppose the project.

"The oversized BRT vehicles will block traffic and be blocked by traffic if in mixed lanes. Thus it's a misnomer, since it will not be rapid," said Michelle Matson of the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board.

However, people who live in Central Oahu want the Bus Rapid Transit project to expand.

"If something isn't done now, when? If not BRT, then what?" said Melissa Graffigna of the Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board.

The project also includes improving the sidewalks, installing new landscaping, putting utilities underground and upgrading bus stops.

The city has already spent $19 million widening sidewalks on Kuhio Avenue, but had to readjust that portion because the lanes were too small for buses and fire trucks.

Now the city wants to use federal money to expand Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalia Road for buses.

"I have some concerns that we're doing this because federal money is free, we're doing it because it's a project, but we're not doing it to help the people," Republican Sen. Gordon Trimble said.

The board of city and state politicians known as OMPO, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, approved the request for federal Funding, giving the project the go-ahead in spite of questions about whether the project will cost too much for too little benefit.

The Federal Transit Administration still must approve the $20 million federal project. The funding will also pay for 10 new articulated 60-foot buses that are run on a combination of gas and electricity.