Hāna Hwy Bridge Preservation Plan Enters 3rd Round of Meetings

By Maui Now Staff

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will host a third round of public informational meetings to present the Hāna Highway Bridge Preservation Plan and collect public input prior to the drafting of the final version.

A Hāna Town Meeting takes place tonight at 5 p.m. at Helene Hall to discuss the draft.  Now 90% complete, the plan includes provisions to address extensive archaeological, cultural and historical research; field reviews; engineering evaluations, and public comment from two previous rounds of meetings.

Additional meetings to discuss the Hāna Highway bridge preservation plan are scheduled by the county cultural resources commission on August 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalana Pakui Building in Wailuku; and by the Hāna Advisory Committee on August 31 at 4 p.m. at the Old Hāna High School Cafeteria.

In May to August of 2014, the HDOT Highways Division’s consultant team conducted a first round of meetings and presentations to elected officials, the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission, and various East Maui community associations, and organizations to introduce the preservation plan’s purpose, scope, and methodology and to gather early input from stakeholders.

Also consulted were East Maui Aha Moku representatives, the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation, State Historic Preservation Division, East Maui Irrigation, and individuals known to have historic knowledge of the Hāna Bridges. Subsequently, a 75% draft report was prepared and circulated for public review and input on the study’s findings and preliminary bridge preservation recommendations.

A second series of public meetings were held in February through March of 2015 to formally present this 75% draft report and collect more public input. Following the 2015 meetings, the 75-percent draft was revised to incorporate input received, creating the Pre-Final Plan.

Hard copies of the Pre-Final Plan can be viewed at the following locations:

Following public input, the Final Plan will be prepared and posted on HDOT’s website with hard copies available at the four locations listed above.

Makanali Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kailua Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Hoalua Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kawaipapa Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Mokulehua Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kopiliula Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Waiokamilo Culvert. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Waiokamilo Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kolea (Punalau Stream)
Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Puohokamoa Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Waikamoi Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Honomaele Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kapaula Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Waiohue Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Kuhiwa Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Waikani Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

West Wailuaiki Stream
Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Palauhulu Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Oopuola Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Nailiilihaele Stream Bridge. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi DOT, Highways Division.

Hanawi Stream Bridge, Built between 1926-1929. Photo credit: State of Hawaiʻi DOT Highways Division.