Lahaina Bypass Soon to Become Reality

Kahoma Stream Bridge Topping Off –

Significant Milestone for Honoapiilani Highway Realignment

Lahaina, Maui.   State Representative Angus McKelvey issued a statement on the topping off ceremony held today at the Kahoma Stream Bridge.

 Kahoma Stream Bridge 

"The topping off of the bridge is a major milestone for improving traffic and road conditions for the residents of West Maui," said Rep. McKelvey.  "I am proud of the work by our legislative team to secure funding for the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment project, and thank our governor and transportation department for releasing the funds and starting the critical construction phase.  We are working together to get the job done."

The Honoapiilani Highway Realignment, popularly known as the "Lahaina Bypass Road", spans nearly a mile between Lahainaluna road and the Keawe Street extension.  Once completed, it will provide residents with an alternative route to go around Lahaina town and avoid congestion.  This first phase is expected to be completed by the end of next month, December of 2012.  

The reconstructed Kahoma Stream Bridge will showcase a new design with a low profile, minimizing the obstruction of views along the scenic drive.  It also eliminates the need for pillars below the bridge, leaving the stream itself unobstructed.

State Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto gave opening remarks and Governor Neil Abercrombie and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa provided remarks on behalf of the state and the county respectively.  Attendees also heard from Bob Pure, President of the Board of Directors for Lahaina Bypass Now, and William Wilson, President of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc.  In addition to Rep. McKelvey, the legislature was represented by Senator Rosalyn Baker for the state senate. 

"This is a significant milestone in the construction of the first phase of the Lahaina bypass road,” commented Sen. Roz Baker (D-West and South Maui).  "I congratulate Wilson Okamoto Corp. for the fantastic, award-winning bridge design which preserves the gorgeous views from the roadway, is less intrusive on the landscape and preserves the functionality of the Kahoma stream channel.  Mahalo to Hawaiian Dredging, the subcontractors, and Hawaii DOT for working with the West Maui community to move this project forward.  We all look forward to opening the first phases of the long awaited road improvement later year and next January.”   

"The completion of this bridge represents the begining of the materialization of the Lahaina Bypass and for the community, a realization of a long-awaited need." said McKelvey, who explained that the bypass will not only give residents a more convenient way to access the homes and schools in the area but also serve as a much-needed emergency evacuation route if the main road be blocked by fire or other disaster."

The General Contractor of the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment project is Hawaiian Dredging and the estimated design and construction cost is $24.3 million.  The blessing was provided by Reverend Earl Kukahiko.