After four years of ongoing troubles associated with travel to Kauai’s north shore, the state is setting in motion plans that will bring more and unprecedented changes to normally sleepy, Hanalei, Kauai. Things are looking good for visitors seeking to enjoy the north shore’s epic beauty for the remainder of this year. After that, work is getting set to commence.
[See our June 2023 update on the Hanalei Bridge work.]
Following two devastating landslides in the past four years, the highway has seen extended periods of closures, followed by one-lane openings with convoys, and traffic jams for hours. It was so bad that for long periods we simply avoided traveling to the north shore. Luckily, that’s been resolved for some time now. This has been worse yet for those who live on the north shore, whose communities had lost normal vehicular access for long periods.
I know, not what we wanted to hear. Your editors like to swim at Hanalei during summer and because of road work in 2021, couldn’t do so often. Getting into and out of Hanalei took a long time. This year it’s been great to be back in the ocean at Hanalei Bay, Kauai, which has been rated one of the best beaches in the USA. Just look at the photo and you’ll see why. But as we drive down to the bridge, we see the hillside area after the landslide in 2021, still needs work. Now we know what the future holds.
On the plus side, there’s a new Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge overlook, and a large parking area that’s going to open soon, with restrooms just before you reach the entrance to Princeville. This will give us all more room to look at the spectacular Hanalei Valley below and its taro fields.
North Shore traffic jams have returned in a different way.
While many months of road closures followed by traffic jams due to road work and alternative one-lane-only traffic in 2021, 2022 has brought an entirely different set of problems. Tourists have returned to Hanalei, and with them have come traffic backups. The combination of a huge number of cars, together with meandering pedestrian traffic and limited sidewalks, has made life challenging.
This past week, the state DOT met with residents and others to reveal a series of repairs and improvements that will once again disrupt traffic. That comes while the state is also promising to help implement traffic calming on the north shore. But is calming enough?
Some outspoken residents would like to see only residents have access to Hanalei and towns beyond. (Don’t worry, that won’t happen). Other issues they are facing include overcrowding at all popular stops and beaches and illegal visitor parking. These are real problems that have been ongoing for years and have resurfaced now that visitors are back in full force and the road is reopened.
Raised crosswalks and speed bumps in Hanalei are being proposed.
One of the state’s DOT plans is to add three speedbumps and five raised crosswalks in the town center. Residents aren’t sure that either of those solutions will be well-tolerated. Regarding speed bumps, some feel that traffic is already so slow at most times that speed bumps may not be needed and would be an added nuisance. The state also proposes another speed bump after Hanalei, in Wainiha.
A traffic signal at the Hanalei Bridge is also under consideration.
The line of traffic heading to the Hanalei bridge is again out of hand. Long waits, depending on the time of day, day of the week, and the season, aren’t unusual. The DOT is therefore proposing a traffic light on both sides of the Hanalei Bridge. It would be of the intelligent variety that senses traffic and is programmed to respond accordingly.
The bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1912 and extensive preservation work was completed in 2003. Being one lane, travelers in both directions are expected to proceed in moderate numbers (6–8 cars) before letting oncoming traffic have the right of way.
The signal would be a huge change for Hanalei, which has never had a stop light.
Major bridge repairs and road remediation will bring more closures and traffic.
Repairs on the Hanalei bridge are needed to correct both damage and corrosion. That will include replacement of support wood structures and repainting, among other things. When that begins, expect it to last for approximately one year. Currently, plans call for the work to be done at night, with the bridge being closed from 11:00 PM to 5:30 AM Sunday–Thursday, for six months in 2023. I suggest adding a year as things move slowly in Hawaii.
A temporary bridge, as was implemented recently in Hanapepe (Kauai) during its bridge repair/construction, wasn’t considered a viable solution, due to permitting issues and the environmental impact.
The state acknowledged that it hasn’t done a good job of maintaining its bridges and accessing federal funding, and has allowed them to slip into disrepair. Yes, you read that right. They missed the funding deadline for the project.
The DOT said that both projects are expected to take just over two years to complete.
Second, work on the Hanalei hill area, the site of last year’s massive landslide, which cut off the rest of the island from the north shore, isn’t complete. The first phase of the repairs is done, but another major project is required to complete slope stabilization and an anchored mesh system. Yet another project to stabilize slopes is still planned for the Waikoko area, although that is not yet finalized and there’s no date planned. While the DOT is saying we should expect 26 months of road work, our experience here is that things always take longer than planned.
Both of these projects will require one-lane road closures of some duration.
Lastly, another stabilization project along the highway near the Hanalei River will address erosion that last year led to a guardrail failure. In addition to that, invasive vegetation has blocked up to half the width of the river in some places. The methodology for this stabilization repair is still under consideration, and it isn’t clear if or how the state can help deal with the vegetation since it is on private property.
What’s your reaction to the planned projects?
Are you more interested in the historic Hanalei bridge repair, a potential first stoplight, or the hillside repair completion? Leave your thoughts and join the discussion.
All photos © Beat of Hawaii.
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Those projects should be done in the night with lights, the traffic is minimal in these hours and won’t disrupt but a few residents! Problem solved!
Maybe you can tell us approx when these proposed construction projects are expected to begin and end? Will there be flagmen and posted hours of operation like when they were fixing the landslide there?
Repairing the bridge is important and needs to be done. But I am absolutely not in favor of the stop lights. Drivers just need to go with the casual flow of Hanalei and be patient and wait to cross.
On another issue the Hanalei pavilion needs to be addressed. I live across the street and battle the homeless constantly. They use my outdoor shower, walk onto my porch drunk and are loud at night. There are fights, drinking and drug deals going on constantly at night. The pavilion walls need to be opened up so you can see inside from the street to prevent these issues from occurring. Or better yet knock it down and put small tables and seating in the area. This would make the area a safer place to visit.
Hanalei needs to stay the way it has always been and tourists need to respect the bridge ways; 6-8 cars. A light would change the charm, the feel and make it more city like. Hanalei does NOT want that vibe. Hanalei also doesn’t need a roller coaster ride with speed bumps and raised cross walks, that idea is absurd. Everyone just needs to slow down and enjoy the views while passing through, it is the reason that town is loved so much. Tourists need to respect local laws and local parking. Kauai doesn’t need to change its ways for tourist but tourists need to change their ways to visit Kauai. Kauai is here forever tourist are only here for a short while why should kauai accommodate any ideas from people who do not live here full time?
Missing a wee bit of the aloha spirit? 😉
I would like to add one more thing, when they decided to do work to the hanapepe bridge why was it not as much of a concerning topic like the hanalei bridge…and another thought is why are they only doing work on the one lane bridge in hanalei, what about the one lane bridge in haena? That should be worked on too, being that work is being done on the north shore, why not fix everything on that side of the island all at once?
The walk from the Kilauea bus stop to the moloaa bus stop at night is very dangerous. During the later night to early morning hours I have personally had a number of cars speed pass me as I walked. No one picked me up, and there was complete darkness, without towns or neighborhoods alongside the roadway. I feel all that excess land should be utilized instead of just growing grass for squatters and campers without permits. The north shore is less welcoming to visitors, especially local Hawaiian females. I think the homeless population in lihue and the west side should be given a geographical relocation, to promote change and stability in new public housing that should be build in all that open land. There are no street lights,and no aloha
The Old Historic Bridge is one of the best functioning and pleasurable part of traveling on the roads in Kauai.
People self govern themselves ansld the system has worked well for the hundred or so years it has been in place. It also makes you feel like you are in a special place and not in Brooklyn.
Besides, a traffic lite will just be destroyed by activists. Please it alone. We have visited for 12 years and now own a condo in Poipu. Help keep the Island with an island vibe!
If I were a Hanalei resident, I would only change what was needed like fixing the bridge & Hanalei hill. No to speed bumps & lights at the bridge……let’s keep the old charm going…tourist just need to switch to Island Time….Mahalo
No more closures for locals
Keep out the tourists at least while the work is going on.
Getting to and from work is too hard with long lines.
No light
Restore what is there .
Please.
Mahalo
How about a two lane bridge going into Hanalei? Call it a day.
Please, you’re not local and you’re not even a resident! No one living here would suggest such a thing for several reasons. (A) Hanalei bridge is historic (B) putting up another bridge, even temporary, would ruin the land and here in Hawaii we don’t believe in ruining the land, that’s a mainland thing. (C) tourists need to get on the slow yourself down motto and pay attention to bridge courtesy signs. Stop rushing around everywhere and enjoy where you are.
Why not ask the army engineers to help speed up the process. Keep the charm with one lane.
We love Hanalei and try to get there at least once during our visits to Kauai. The bridge is one of the charms. A stop/go light would be helpful in dealing with impatient or discourteous drivers. Otherwise, please do not change the bridge.
All of these repairs sound ridiculous! Why not put in a new two lane bridge? To keep repairing the old one is a waste of time and money.
We have a family vacation planned for the last two weeks in July. Due to schedules and accommodation availability it had to be mid summer. We are staying in Poipu. How do we find out which day of the week would be best to drive north to Hanalei? In June of 2019 we drove from Poipu to Hanalei, and we did not have any significant delays. It was a Wed. or Thurs., and we left Poipu in time to stop at another beach and get to Hanalei early afternoon.
Aloha. Please tell me why Jade Butay (State director of transportation) still has a job?
Honest to goodness, there is no excuse for the miserable conditions of Hawaii’s roads and other infrastructure. And failing to apply for federal funds!
There is no Aloha in chronic ineptitude and the squandering of our Tax Dollars!
Aloha guys. Well my comments are directed towards the overgrown hau blocking the river flow. I am surprised that the owner of the bison ranch is not being held responsible for keeping his property in compliance in this regard. In California, we are fined if we don’t do annual brush clearance for the wildfires we have here. No clearance,no fire insurance is given. Why should the state/ county be responsible for clearing it out.
Thanks for the update !
I liked your statement regarding speed bumps in Hanalei saying it “would be an assed nusiance”. (Funny) I am an occasional visitor to the North Shore and would prefer the preservation of Hanalei area as much as possible, that is, don’t change too much of it. The “downtown” area is getting a little worn out or run down. So, some refurbishing might be good.
Thanks for providing such useful information.
I think as a tourist who loves it there I will wait to come back until the bridges are repaired and everything is flowing as it should. Love it there and want it to remain a paradise for all
BTW… how would one define tourist / visitor? I was born in HI. My brother-in-law lives on Kauai. Is a business person coming to work considered one? Any non-resident coming to the islands regardless as for the purpose?
Seems like there might be some exceptions?
Complaining and/or trying to prevent traffic is a waste of time and does nothing to help. How about brainstorming some solutions?
I can think of several that would help. At the bridges just use simple flow control lights. Just like the ones used at freeway on ramps. They time green for a short time and alternate from end to end of the bridge. How about a pedestrian overpass downtown to eliminate crosswalk delays. Designated and upgraded alternate routes. Slowing down traffic is just going to make it worse. Keep it flowing safely, add double yellow lines to prevent vehicles backing up traffic making random left turns. Also educate drivers. Put a map, tips, and traffic concerns in a handout placed in every rental car.
We’ve crossed that bridge many times and never had a problem getting across it. I vote for continuing to repair the hillside and then repair the bridge. A don’t feel a stoplight is necessary. Speed bumps could slow traffic down to provide more than adequate safety.
For a long time, as visitors, we have respected that residents need to get to work, shop, home, etc. and when there are problems we avoid the road. It’s a loss for our stay but it is the right thing to do. We are guests and we hope the respect is reciprocal.
We’ve been visitors to Kauai for 30 years and love the island. We are supportive of the bridge restoration, it’s historic and should remain the same. We’ve used the 6-8 crossers as an example back here in PA as an alternative to lights. We’re also supportive of finishing the restoration of the hill, that’s essential to the people of the North Shore (as well as visitors) but not thrilled about the light.
This island has become so fragile. The work all needs to be done and tourist coming this way should get this info on what’s ahead either through the travel agent or notices put out there on the internet. Tough job ahead and we all need patience. Not looking forward to it but it is what it is. Good luck!
Dear editors, you are describing a hot mess. I feel for the people in Hanalei and beyond. The bridge traffic- that rediculiusly small sign that says “courtesy 5-7cars” mi ght be enlarged a bit? I’m up there all the time and speed bumps in Hanalei? Give me a break. And Hanalei Bay has never been so overrun since the permitting for Ke’e beach which was much needed. Years of a mess ahead I am afraid. The north shore’s beauty has been its own undoing.
We’ve been noticing that the bridge needs massive work again. I’ve been hoping for a four way stop in downtown Hanalei at the main intersection, where traffic is wildest. That is an accident waiting to happen between the heavy traffic and many pedestrians. Probably, there should be a light there for safety, but I’m sure the people of the north shore would never go for it. Speed bumps seem very irrelevant. Any idea when the hillside work will commence? Thank you for the information!
Hi Kathi.
No final word on when it will all start. As with everything here, it is probably going to be late starting and late finishing. So based on that, maybe a year from now .
Aloha.
Leave it to the DOT to provide a “solution” to a problem that doesn’t exist – Hanalei does Not need speed bumps. Waste of money. A traffic light at the bridge may make sense since many uninformed tourists don’t know the protocol (5-8 go, then the other side goes). I can’t believe the State & the County blew the Federal bridge funding deadline. How is that even possible??? To answer your question, I think which ever is more at risk (landslide vs deteriorating bridge) should be done first.
My brother-in-law lives in Kilauea so we stay with him every year. A stop light at the bridge? I’ve never seen a back up bad enough that would require that. As to bridge work… whatever is needed to keep that piece of history in tact. I just hope they can do the work at night so as to keep the day time traffic flowing.
actually all three..it may take awhile but totally worth hit. I’ve been there during the landslide yikes. I am also waiting to return at a more favorable time (when will that be?)
We love going to Hanalei every time we come to Kauai. Love to attend services at the little Green Church the pastor is really good and every nice. Plans were for May of 2023, may have to skip Hanalei this time quite a loss. Love your whole island though. Been coming regularly since 1976. Thank you for all you do to keep us up to speed.
The traffic situation on Kauai’s north shore is the canary in the coal mine for the larger issue of tourism on our island. The lull in visitors due to the pandemic gave residents a glimpse of what life could be like without the throng, and we liked what we saw. The truth is, no part of the island can support the amount of tourists that want to come. Close Hanalei to traffic, you just push the problem to the east. The county needs to find ways to cap tourism while simultaneously fixing our infrastructure to support the resident’s transportation needs.
@DougP – understand liking what things were like without tourists if u have a job that doesn’t depend on them. I’d be interested to know what % of people were affected when the tourist faucet was turned off. And if if you didn’t have a job that was directly affected, I would imagine there were other businesses that get some revenue from businesses who did get shut down. Like a supplier of food to a resturant. Indirectly affected.
You do realize that many people rely on tourism to keep open. All the states on the mainland complain the same way but they do realize that this is real life. Someone needs to come and spend money. Covid stopped the music festival in Austin and many businesses had to close as they make about 6 months of their normal income in that short time. We all need to just respect where we are and each other.
Remembering Kauai as it was in 1995 when we first visited, it’s sad to see it so overrun. But that is a selfish perspective! We fell in love – so why shouldn’t others? This will be our 45th trip in a few weeks and we’re just aiming to be patient, tolerant and kind when we encounter the crowds!
Don’t worry I won’t be there to create any traffic on the North shore. Never going back to Kauai again. The only reason I went to the North shore is to go all the way north and now you have to get on a tram and go at certain times only etc etc
more expensive to do it as well? Rather Un Hawaiian. There’s other places the world that have to put it with such nonsense in such a turn-off in general
Hawaii thanks you. We are happy not to have you as a tourist.
Great! Don’t come, be sure to tell all your friends not to either