The Kuhio Highway bypass road in Kapa‘a will now be open 24 hours a day beginning 5:30 a.m. Friday, according to the state highways division. The “temporary” bypass, which was opened in 1995 to alleviate traffic and provide an alternate
The Kuhio Highway bypass road in Kapa‘a will now be open 24 hours a day beginning 5:30 a.m. Friday, according to the state highways division.
The “temporary” bypass, which was opened in 1995 to alleviate traffic and provide an alternate route through Kapa‘a, is open from 5:30 a.m.n9 p.m. each day.
Security personnel from Freeman Guards had been contracted to close the road during the weekdays, and to open and close it on weekends and holidays. On weekday mornings, state highways maintenance workers would open the gates for motorists.
“We’ve been getting a lot of calls from residents asking why the road wasn’t open overnight,” said Scott Ishikawa, state transportation department community development specialist. Thus, negotiations between landowners resulted in the road being opened. They include Bette Midler, Kapaa 160 LLC, Allen Family LLC, and Moloa‘a Bay Ventures LLC. The road is located on land that was originally owned by Lihue Plantation Co. and evening closures of the road was a condition of their lease agreement, according to a statement from the highways division office.
According to Ishikawa, the three LLC entities have agreed to turn over the road to the state highways division, while negotiations are continuing with Midler’s representatives. However, Midler’s representatives have agreed to open their section of the road for 24-hour use.
The Highways Division decided on the 24 hour usage to provide an alternate night-time route in case of an accident or other emergency on Kuhio Highway.
