Myself and many others often get caught in horrendously slow midday to late afternoon northbound traffic between Waipouli and the Kapaa Library as well as having to experience similar traffic going southbound from Pouli Road to Kuamoo Road between 11
Myself and many others often get caught in horrendously slow midday to late afternoon northbound traffic between Waipouli and the Kapaa Library as well as having to experience similar traffic going southbound from Pouli Road to Kuamoo Road between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Actually, Friday’s and Saturday’s southbound traffic, from Kawaihau Road to the Wailua River, is even worse starting mid-morning and lasting to around 6 p.m. These traffic problems prompted me to consider the alternative mentioned below.
Many suggestions have surfaced over the last several years but nothing constructive seems to have happened. If we think traffic into and through the Wailua-Kapaa area is bad now, it can only worsen with the recently completed residential developments in Princeville plus the proposed villas above Hanalei River and the once proposed two coconut developments in Waipouli as well as the probably now defunct Kealanikai Agricultural Subdivision for the Kealia area.
I realize that the back road (Kapaa Bypass) has been completed and helps somewhat with southbound traffic but once traffic enters Kuhio Highway, it again slows until the junction at Kuamoo Road. Furthermore, for the afternoon and evening northbound traffic, from the stoplights in Waipouli to Kawaihau Road, there has been very little if any improvement other than a new bridge over Waiakea Canal and widening in front of Pono Kai Resort plus the Bypass Road’s southbound single-lane extension to the roundabout at Olohena Road.
My Alternative
The Hawaii State Department of Transportation with the County of Kauai should use the power of eminent domain to purchase a strategic strip of property. This strip would lie mauka and parallel to Kuhio Highway extending, in the north, from the southern end of Kahau Road (at Olohena Road). It would then continue southward across Waiakea Canal behind the Kapaa Shopping Center, Waipouli Plaza, Waipouli Town Center Plaza, through the Fernandes Tract, and following the old Lunalio Road across both the Bypass and Haleilio Roads connecting to Apana Road and swing around Coco Palms ending at Kuamoo Road.
On this strip of property would be at least a two-lane but preferably a three-lane one-way southbound only roadway with turn connections (junctions) to the following streets and roads: Kukui, Koa, Mamane, Ohia, Akia, Panini, Kipuni Place, Hoi, Pouli, Fernandes, the By-Pass, Haleilio and Kuamoo.
Northern shoppers coming south and wanting to just access Kapaa Old Town would exit an off-ramp at Olohena Road. Those wanting to shop at Pono Market would use Mamane Ohia Street, while those wanting to visit the Post Office would use the Panini Road junction. To bank at KCFCU, one would turn onto the Kipuni Place extension and, to shop at either Foodland or Safeway, you would turn at Pouli Road. If wanting to dine at Wahoo Restaurant, you would use either Pouli Road or the Fernandes Road. Lastly, those wanting to shop at Coconut Market Place or to reach the resorts on Aleka Place and Loop as well as Papaloa Road would take the off-ramp at the Kapaa Bypass Road.
So, in essence, Kuhio Highway, from Kuamoo Road, would be one-way northbound only to just beyond the Otsuka Store where the Kapaa Bypass Road’s extension begins. This four-year-old extension should be widened to Kahau Road to accommodate the increased volume, and to enhance the flow of southbound traffic along this new proposed roadway. It would be necessary to construct overpasses along with on and off ramps at Olohena Road, the Kapaa Bypass, Haleilio Road and Kuamoo Road.
Privious proposals have been suggested and/or advanced for this area but I’m not aware of one that matches the magnitude and versatility of this one. Granted, such a project would be very expensive but in order to obviate traffic that currently creeps or often comes to a standstill, both north and southbound between Kuamoo and Kawaihau Roads, action must be taken forthwith. This action should start by utilizing the power of eminent domain for the procurement and, if needed, condemnation of the private property. At the same time, our legislators should begin seeking federal funds for the project’s design and ultimate construction.
Waiting will only exacerbate the present situation.
• William Null is a resident of Kapaa
