Highways

LAHAINA — Gov. Neil Abercrombie and representatives of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (DOT) today joined members of the community on Maui to dedicate and open the second phase of the Lahaina Bypass Highway. The second phase, which is officially known as the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment, Phase 1B-1, stretches for 1.7 miles from Lahainaluna Road to Hokiokio Place. With the opening of this segment, the Lahaina Bypass now covers a total of 2.5 miles and includes the award-winning Kahoma Stream Bridge.

 “The long-awaited Lahaina Bypass provides residents and visitors with traffic relief along with an alternate route in case of disaster or emergencies,” Gov. Abercombie said. This project is a good example of federal, state and county government working together with the community to get a much needed project completed.”

Over 30 years ago, the West Maui community recognized that a Lahaina Bypass highway was needed to address traffic congestion along the existing Honoapiilani Highway through Lahaina town. Although the existing Honoapiilani Highway has since been widened from two to four lanes, land use densities have increased and traffic congestion continues to be a problem. The additional traffic capacity is needed to move people, goods and services more efficiently in and out of Lahaina now and well into the future. 

“The newest section of the Lahaina Bypass will help to save West Maui residents both time and money,” said DOT Director Glenn Okimoto. “These savings will help to improve the region’s quality of life, and we want to thank the residents for their patience with this long-term project.”

“I applaud the Department of Transportation for their efforts and commitment to the realignment of the Honoapiilani Highway,” said Senator J. Kalani English, Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs. “The successful completion of the second phase of the Lahaina Bypass will ultimately relieve congestion on the existing Honoapiilani Highway through Lahaina town and provide greater relief to our traveling public.”

The Lahaina Bypass Highway is a federal-aid project. This segment cost $25.8 million, of which 80 percent is federal funds and 20 percent state funds.