Contentious plans, major repairs and a new overlook await sleepy Hanalei.
41 thoughts on “Hanalei Faces 2-Year Bridge Repair, Road Closures, Proposed Stoplight”
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Contentious plans, major repairs and a new overlook await sleepy Hanalei.
Comments are closed.
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