Construction advances: Queen Kaahumanu Highway improvements move forward at Kawaihae Road intersection

KAWAIHAE — Traffic safety improvements are set to begin soon at the corner of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road.

“You may have noticed the orange signs when approaching the intersection, as HELCO has to move telephone poles to make way for an addition of a right turn lane to the eastbound Kawaihae approach to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and an addition of a right turn lane to the northbound Queen Kaahumanu Highway approach to Kawaihae Road,” Rep. Cindy Evans said Thursday. “It’s looking like a month away from the public notice of construction schedule. Our community has been very patient, and frustrated at times, as the State Department of Transportation (DOT) made progress.”

She added that she has kept in contact with the DOT through the process of getting the design, agreement for acquisition of land, Section 106 consultation, environmental review, funds to build, award of contract to build and notice to proceed.

“I fought for the funding of the planning, design and construction phase of this project,” Evans said. “There were many opportunities for public input. This corner is a difficult corner, and too many accidents or near accidents have occurred. We — myself with the support of Senator Inouye and the communities of Kawaihae and Kamuela — were persistent and made sure the DOT kept us in mind as they addressed the challenges with the aging of infrastructure throughout Hawaii, and the growing needs for traffic safety improvements.”

She also expressed thanks to the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee for continuing to push for county road and state highway projects for South Kohala.

Info: For questions regarding Queen Kaahumanu Highway improvements, contact Evans’ office by email at repevans@capitol.hawaii.gov or call 586-8510