Maui mulls
building
bypass routeThe proposal is for South Maui
mauka of residential areas
from Maalaea to Makena
KIHEI, Maui >> A coalition of community associations in South Maui has proposed establishing a bypass route mauka of residential developments from Maalaea to Makena.
CORRECTION
Monday, Aug. 11, 2003>> Bud Pikrone is the general manager of the Wailea Community Association. An article on Page A3 yesterday incorrectly called him the group's president.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
The South Maui Coalition of Associations said the roads serving as a bypass would connect with the planned Kihei-Upcountry Maui Highway.
The state is hiring an engineering consultant to design the proposed Kihei-Upcounty highway connecting Haliimaile with Kaonolulu Street in Kihei.
The coalition has submitted the proposal to state highway officials who are receiving comments from Maui residents about the funding priorities of road projects for the next three years, including money for planning.
Coalition members include the Kihei Community Association, Wailea Community Association, Maui Meadows Homeowners Association and the Makena Community Association.
Kihei Community Association member Charles Jencks said the proposed route running parallel to Piilani Highway has been divided into four sections and listed in priority so that the most important parts may be developed first.
The section requested for initial development would connect with the Kihei-Upcountry Maui Highway and extend about 4.5 miles south to Kealii Alanui at Kamalii Elementary School.
The second segment would extend north and inland around the national wildlife refuge at Kealia past Mokulele Highway until Honoapiilani Highway.
The third segment would extend Piilani Highway from Wailea to the Makena Resort, and the fourth would extend the proposed bypass road farther south from Maui Meadows to the Makena Resort.
Wailea Community Association President Bud Pikrone said the initial extension would help to disperse commuter traffic from the Upcountry area into Kihei and also present an emergency alternative if Piilani Highway is closed.
A mauka bypass route would also serve as a way to get quickly to a future regional park, the Maui Research & Technology Park, and a proposed site of a high school, he said.
"We feel that would be a good alternative," Pikrone said.
Working under less than ideal traffic conditions has become a way of life in South Maui, one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
Piilani Highway was regarded as the bypass route more than 10 years ago, when the population was closer to 15,000 people.
County planners estimate the population is now closer to 23,000.
The maximum speed limit on Piilani Highway was once 55 mph. The highway was widened to four lanes this year, and the maximum speed limit for most of the road has been reduced to 40 mph.
Several residents said they are satisfied with the way traffic is moving on the four-lane Piilani Highway.
But some residents point out they have been waiting for the development of a north-south road running parallel and between Piilani Highway and South Kihei Road.
Richard Weaver, a South Maui resident, said although a county community plan has endorsed the road, only a couple of blocks of it have been developed.
Weaver said the road would be a safer alternative for elderly drivers and for bicycling residents and pedestrians.
