Kilauea roundabout generating buzz

KILAUEA — The ongoing groundwork for the upcoming roundabout on Kauai’s North Shore is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Officials with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) provided an update on the ongoing developments of the upcoming $12 million roundabout located on the busy intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kolo Road in Kilauea.

Ed Sniffen, director of HDOT, provided a detailed overview of the project’s design, the current installations, and the circle’s primary objective of reducing vehicular speed and lessening the risk of traffic-related fatalities.

“The roundabout is designed to reduce crashes that result in injuries and fatalities by slowing vehicles through the intersection, reducing the number of traffic conflict points, and providing safer crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians,’ said Sniffen.

”The project will have a diameter of approximately 130 feet, with additional space allocated for concrete sidewalks encircling the roundabout,” he added. “This design aims to facilitate safer pedestrian crossings.”

Crosswalks will be designed to connect between the four crosswalks that will encircle the roundabout, linking them to the bus stop and extending along Kolo Road.

“In addition, the intersection will be more efficient when completed, with motorists making left turns into and out of Kolo Road from Kuhio Highway being able to do so more efficiently and safely, reducing congestion backups and potential crashes, Sniffen said.

“Pedestrians and bus riders will have additional safety countermeasures such as refuge islands and shorter crossing lengths when crossing the highway,”

Kilauea resident Mia Balintona expressed excitement about the project and said the roundabout is needed in the area.

“I think this is good that they are widening the road,” said Balintona, “it is better for us, the drivers, and for the safety of everyone here.”

Thus far, the construction work consists of the installation of a 24-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), a drain line that will run parallel to the highway on the makai side. Additionally, on the south side of the Kuhio/Kolo intersection, the drain lines are 24 inches and are fed by several new catch basins which will bring stormwater flows to a 30-inch RCP on the north side of the intersection on the mauka side of the highway.

HDOT explained that the 30-inch drain line will terminate at a new headwall, which will open up to a new grass swale towards the Anaina Hou entrance and feed into the existing storm drain system.

“This will be a significant improvement as there is almost no existing drainage in the area,” said Sniffen. “In addition, the highway at the intersection will be elevated to address localized flooding which regularly occurs on the Kalamania side (mauka) of the intersection. The raising of the roadway and installation of the new catch basins and drain lines will mitigate stormwater issues.”

The Kilauea circle is anticipated to be completed in April 2026.

Representatives with HDOT expressed gratitude to the community for their patience during the busy construction process and advised motorists to drive with caution in the construction zone.

“Please slow down and obey all traffic control signage in the area, for the safety of the traveling public, pedestrians, and those who are working on the project,” said Sniffen.

“Kauai recorded eight traffic-related fatalities last year, compared to three in each of the two previous years. As of today, Kauai is the only county where there have been no traffic fatalities in the new year. We want to keep it at zero.”

For more information regarding the roundabout on Kilauea, visit the department’s website at hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork.