As expected, major back up on Pi’ilani Hwy south to start the day

5/17/22 #kihei

As might be expected, day one of reducing the Pi’ilani Hwy down to just two lanes 24/7 between Kaonoulu and Pi’ikea resulted in long back ups southbound as far back as Ohukai. It was on verge of gridlock, as when cars tried to turn left onto Pi’ilani from Ohukai mauka, there was no room on the southbound lane of the highway.

According to State Department of Transportation, this will continue all summer so we will need a lot of patience and aloha from drivers at least twice a day.

Of course because the county never constructed the North-South Collector Road in this area and bicycling and walking remain dangerous with limited sidewalks and bike lanes, there are limited alternatives.

Minimal to no implementation of multi-modal transit in South Maui going back to the last century have brought us to this point. Just imagine the conditions if there is a major collision or natural disaster?

Please drive safely and with aloha everyone!

Pi’ilani Hwy & Ohukai at 8 am Tues 5/17/22