Six Historic Bridges on Hāna Highway Identified as High Priority

This sign is posted at the ʻUlaino River in East Maui, which can overflow during heavy rains, making the road impassable. File photo by Wendy Osher.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division holds the first in a series of public meetings to discuss a project to improve six of the historic bridges along the Hāna Highway (Route 360) located between Huelo and Hāna town in east Maui.

The bridges include Kailua Stream Bridge (Mile Post 5.9), Makanali Stream Bridge (Mile 8.2), Puohokamoa Stream Bridge (Mile 11), Kopiliula Stream Bridge (Mile 21.7), ʻUlaino Stream Bridge (Mile 27.9), and Mokulehua Stream Bridge (Mile 28.3).

The project would improve these six bridges in a context-sensitive manner, so they are safe and functional for highway users, transportation officials said.

Overarching goals for the project were developed through an earlier planning process for all bridges on the route. The six bridges now being studied in more detail have been identified by HDOT as high priority for improvements.

Work on this project is currently in the environmental compliance and preliminary engineering phase. This meeting is being held to gather input and support the environmental process and consultation under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The first meetings will be held at the following locations and times:

Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 5 p.m.
Hāna Community Center
5091 Uakea Road, Hāna

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 5:30 p.m.
J. Walter Cameron Center
95 Mahalani Street, Wailuku

Information will be shared at the meeting on the project and environmental process. Public input will be gathered regarding the project goals and issues that are important to the community. HDOT and FHWA encourage community members to attend to provide input on this important project.

For more information on the Hāna Highway Bridge Improvements project, visit the project’s website. Those unable to attend the meetings can provide input through the project website. You may also contact the project manager, Thomas Parker, via email to [email protected] or by telephone at (720) 963-3688.

The meetings are accessible for individuals with disabilities. To request language interpretation, an auxiliary aid or special services, contact Curtis Motoyama at (808) 831-7931 or email [email protected] seven days prior to the meeting date.