The way forward on Lahaina Bypass Phase 1B-2 and Honoapiilani Highway Improvements at Keawe Street

Posted on Jan 15, 2018 in Main, News
KAHULUI – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will continue to communicate with the public regarding plans to open the latest phase of the Lahaina Bypass between the project’s southern terminus in Olowalu and Hokiokio Place in March 2018. 
“The Lahaina Bypass has a long history and a demonstrated need,” said State Administrative Director Ford Fuchigami. “From the inception of the project in the early 1990s the Lahaina Bypass was intended both to realign the coastal highway for its protection and to increase roadway capacity to the vibrant destination that was, at one time, the historic capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.” 
 
Large capacity projects, such as the Lahaina Bypass, are typically phased due to funding limitations and availability. As the phases are completed they are opened to the public. Seeking to accommodate the anticipated volume of vehicles traveling from the bypass’s beginning in Olowalu to the interim northern terminus at Keawe Street, HDOT designed modifications to the intersection of Honoapillani Highway and Keawe Street. These modifications include: 
  • Addition of a free right turn from Keawe Street to Honoapiilani Highway northbound to move vehicles off Keawe Street more efficiently. 
  • Conversion of the Mauka through lane on Honoapiilani Highway northbound into a right turn lane onto Keawe Street to safely accommodate the free right turn. 
  • Addition of a left turn, for a total of two left turn movements, from Honoapiilani Highway southbound onto Keawe Street. 
The work to modify the Honoapiilani Highway and Keawe Street intersection, with the official title of Honoapiilani Highway Improvements – Keawe Street to Kapunakea Street, will begin Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. 
“While we believe opening the latest phase of the Lahaina Bypass to traffic in conjunction with the modifications to the highway’s intersection will have benefits to the community as well as our visitors, we are committed to continuing to monitor traffic patterns after the opening and will make adjustments based on observations and community feedback,” said HDOT Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen. 
“Governor Ige and I understand the community’s concerns regarding access to Honoapiilani Highway and the bypass’s current end at Keawe Street,” Fuchigami said. “That’s why HDOT leadership and I will be meeting with the Maui Council Chair Mike White, Council Members Don Guzman and Elle Cochran, Maui County Department of Public Works Director David Goode, State Legislators, community representatives, and a representative from the office of Mayor Arakawa. We will work collaboratively with the county to ensure there is a clear understanding of local issues and the roles and responsibilities in the management of Honoapiilani Highway, the bypass, and their connector roads.“ 
HDOT will send weekly updates on the Lahaina Bypass Phase 1B2 and the Honoapiilani Highway Improvements – Keawe Street to Kapunakea Street to the community with the next update to detail the results of the meeting with the county and the plan to collect and address community concerns as practical. Additional community outreach to discuss project improvements is also planned. 
 
For more information on the Lahaina Bypass Phase 1B2 
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