Just in time for holiday shopping, the extension of Kanalani Street providing access to the Kaloko Light Industrial Area could be opened as early as next week, thanks to action Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council.
The council unanimously approved Resolution 608, accepting the roadway and sewer extension. Council members agreed to fast-track the measure so it could be opened expeditiously as soon as Mayor Mitch Roth signs the conveyance documents.
The landowner, the county administration and the council all want to see the road opened as soon as possible, they said. Construction, which began last year, has been completed, but barricades currently keep traffic at bay.
“The opening of this roadway will provide an alternate, safer means of access to and egress from those businesses within the Kaloko Light Industrial area, including Costco,” said Riley Smith, president/CEO of Lanihau Properties, which owns the lands at West Hawaii Business Park, adjacent to and immediately south of Costco and Spectrum.
“As soon as I get the certified resolution, I’ll open the road 5 minutes later, (hopefully) in time for black Friday,” Smith said.
Public Works Director Steve Pause said the county is ready. The improvements have been inspected and approved by the county Department of Public Works, the Department of Water Supply and the Department of Environmental Management, according to the resolution.
“We have completed all our inspections the DPW is most anxious to get this approved,” Pause said.
“This his has been a long process,” said North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba. “I’m glad that we are finally here. … It will help alleviate some of the traffic in the area.”
Once the conveyance from the landowner to the county is finalized, Smith said the contractor will put up three illuminated sign boards, for the motoring public.
One will be as drivers head northbound on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, at the mauka turn off lane to Kimo Drive, alerting drivers that they can access Costco, via this intersection, by turning r ight. Another would be placed at the Lawehana/Kanalani Street intersection, facing mauka. This will alert drivers heading makai on Lawehana, that they can access Queen Kaahumanu Highway, by turning left. From there, they can go either north/south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The third will be internally at the industrial area,at Kaulaili Street, alerting tenants and customers to stop at Kanalani Street, to stop/yield the right of way, Smith said.