Second Phase of Lahaina Bypass Complete

Lahaina Bypass Phase 2 completed. Photo courtesy Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.

By Wendy Osher

A dedication ceremony was held this morning for the second phase of the Lahaina Bypass project in West Maui.

This latest phase, from Lahainaluna Road to Hōkiokio Place, is the second of five phases that will ultimately result in a four-lane bypass highway spanning approximately nine miles from Launiupoko to Honokōwai.

The latest phase completes a 1.7 mile segment of the Lahaina Bypass corridor, which now stretches 2.5 miles from Keawe Street to Hōkiokio Place, and includes the award-winning Kahoma Stream Bridge.

Lahaina Bypass Phase 2 groundbreaking. File photo, October 2010, by Wendy Osher.

The first phase of the project, which runs from Lahainaluna Road to Keawe Street was completed in March 2013.

The project involves the construction of a two-lane highway within a right-of-way, that will ultimately become a four-lane divided facility, designed to accommodate future traffic growth, and provide an alternate route that runs parallel to the busy Honoapiʻilani Highway.

Senator J. Kalani English of Maui, who serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation applauded the completion of the latest phase saying it “marks a significant milestone in the realignment of the Honoapiʻilani Highway.”

“The people of Maui and Lahaina have waited nearly three decades for the completion of this project. By relieving congestion on the existing Honoapiʻilani Highway through Lahaina town this new segment of bypass will greatly impact the lives and needs of our local residents,” said Sen. English in a statement today.

This segment of the project cost an estimated $25.8 million, 80% of which was federally funded, and 20% of which was state funded.