Kuhio Highway opening extended

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Kuhio Highway opening extended

The opening of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore remains uncertain.

In an update on emergency repairs to the road damaged in the April flooding, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said Wednesday there have been “unavoidable extensions in the project schedule.”

Slope stabilization and roadway repairs needed to safely open Kuhio Highway past Anae Road (the Waikoko checkpoint) to two-way traffic will be substantially complete in April, according to HDOT spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige.

“The limited-access convoy for Wainiha and Haena residents will continue to operate until such time as HDOT determines it is safe to allow access without it,” she wrote in an email.

It’s become an expensive repair job.

…

 

[Kildahl]

In addition to the road repairs, there are ongoing discussions about possible daily limitations on the number of vehicles allowed to travel past Hanalei. Don't bet the ranch on an April re-opening.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

In addition to the road repairs, there are ongoing discussions about possible daily limitations on the number of vehicles allowed to travel past Hanalei. Don't bet the ranch on an April re-opening.

Yep. I think it's very likely that somewhere beyond Hanalei, there will be a point beyond which you will not be able to proceed in a private vehicle as a tourist unless you are a guest of an resident or business in the area.

 

[geist1223]

So does that mean you will have to pay a business to visit Ke'e Beach, Kalalau Trial, or Hanakapiai Waterfall.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

So does that mean you will have to pay a business to visit Ke'e Beach, Kalalau Trial, or Hanakapiai Waterfall.

No - I expect that the state of Hawaii would collect a park entrance fee - like most other states do. Then I would expect that some entrepreneurs with available space would sell passes to park on their property as guests. So tourists would have an option of riding a shuttle and paying a park entrance fee, or paying a private party for the privilege of "guest" parking on their private property.

IMHO - the bigger issue is that tourism has grown so much on Kauai that the capacity to handle vehicle traffic beyond Hanalei has been exceeded. The beach areas are big enough to accommodate the tourists, but the road and parking cannot handle the demand. And rather than devoting more space to handling tourists and, and adding parking lots that require people to start schlepping a mile or more with beach gear, why not just shuttle people in?

I like the idea of putting a shuttle parking lot in Hanalei, in the big open field next to where they have the farmers market. That would be great for the farmers market, because they would have people parking and being dropped off right by the market. Makes the location more valuable, and helps support local small business.

 

[geist1223]

Perhaps the State of Hawaii could establish an online reservation like Halaeaka for a minimum fee except for Kaua'i Residents.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Perhaps the State of Hawaii could establish an online reservation like Halaeaka for a minimum fee except for Kaua'i Residents.

I don't think the problem is the number of people; it's their vehicles.

BTW - there is already a reservation fee for using the Kalalau Trail beyond the first beach. Which is a logical area to limit overall traffic.

 

[Kildahl]

They are also working on a shuttle proposal, to move visitors down the highway. The county tried it December, but only between Princeville and Hanalei. In talking with someone that was involved with the discussions, I was told that it didn't catch on until the end of the month.
I think it is a great idea but there have to be incentives for all drivers, including campers/backpackers, beach goers/snorkelers and probably most problematic, the large increase in traffic due to visitors using AIRB&B and VRBO.. Some tourist areas, like Santa Barbara, prohibit real estate owning citizens from participation, but I am not use how effective bans like that work.

 

[Kildahl]

Here is an update for those interested:
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/02/02/hawaii-news/roads-repairs-run-discussed/

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

They are also working on a shuttle proposal, to move visitors down the highway. The county tried it December, but only between Princeville and Hanalei. In talking with someone that was involved with the discussions, I was told that it didn't catch on until the end of the month.
I think it is a great idea but there have to be incentives for all drivers, including campers/backpackers, beach goers/snorkelers and probably most problematic, the large increase in traffic due to visitors using AIRB&B and VRBO.. Some tourist areas, like Santa Barbara, prohibit real estate owning citizens from participation, but I am not use how effective bans like that work.

One time I looked into using the Kauai bus to get to the airport from Kapaa - DW was headed back to the mainland ahead of me and I thought I might able to have her drop off the rental car and I would do a Kapaa chill my last days.

Nope - suitcases not allowed on Kauai public transit. Maybe it's a plot to force tourists to either rent cars or use taxis.

 

[Kildahl]

Something tells me that policy is going to change in the near future.

 

[Kildahl]

UPDATE-Here is a link to an article from this morning's Garden Island:
https://www.thegardenisland.com2019/02/10/hawaii-news/finish-in-sight/

 

[DeniseM]

Hmmm - I can't open that link.

 

[controller1]

UPDATE-Here is a link to an article from this morning's Garden Island:
https://www.thegardenisland.com2019/02/10/hawaii-news/finish-in-sight/

Hmmm - I can't open that link.

There's a slash missing in the original link. Try this: https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/02/10/hawaii-news/finish-in-sight/

Edited to place correct link.

 

[DeniseM]

nope nope nope

 

[controller1]

nope nope nope

OK. I see what I did. Try this one. https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/02/10/hawaii-news/finish-in-sight/

 

[slip]

OK. I see what I did. Try this one. https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/02/10/hawaii-news/finish-in-sight/

That worked.

 

[Kildahl]

Road reopening still contentious topic. April re-opening unlikely imho.
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/03/09/hawaii-news/road-reopening-still-contentious-topic/

 

[Kildahl]

Update: HI DOT Highway public meeting in Haena tonight
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/04/05/hawaii-news/meeting-on-kuhio-repair-work-set/

 

[Roger830]

We've been in Kapaa for a week, It really takes away from the experience not being able to go to Tunnel's.

Tuesday morning and today we saw whales at the lighthouse overlook. Today a whale breached straight up multiple times. Tuesday a whale flapped his tail over 30 times. Both could be seen with the naked eye, terrific with binocs.

Yesterday the ocean was very calm with the wind from the east so I checked online for Napali tours. We were fortunate to book a sunset cruise on Blue Dolphin with Captain Chad. It was a fun party experience with plenty of alcohol, food, and wonderful views.

 

[slip]

New info on the road from the Beat of Hawaii.

https://beatofhawaii.com/north-shore-kauai-highway/

 

[klpca]

More info about the road opening and some insight on what the residents have had to endure - from the owner at Hanalei Day Spa. Wow. I had no idea - convoys? Anyway, as Jeff posted - tentative opening date is May 1 but you won't be going to Ke'e or Tunnels any time soon. https://hanaleidayspa.com/kauai-update-good-news-bad-news/

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

More info about the road opening and some insight on what the residents have had to endure - from the owner at Hanalei Day Spa. Wow. I had no idea - convoys? Anyway, as Jeff posted - tentative opening date is May 1 but you won't be going to Ke'e or Tunnels any time soon. https://hanaleidayspa.com/kauai-update-good-news-bad-news/

Excellent Link and Pictures. Thank you so much for posting for all to see!




.

 

[Kildahl]

Nice find, Jeff.
Here is another article from todays GardenIsland
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/04/14/hawaii-news/beyond-the-roadblock/

 

[Kildahl]

This article gives the 2018 flooding background:
https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/04/14/hawaii-news/the-flood-one-year-later/