The Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is set to hold a public informational session regarding the upcoming construction and development activities on Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) in Kahului. Set for October 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the meeting will take place at Pomaikaʻi Elementary School Cafeteria, located at 4650 S. Kamehameha Ave.
Details shared by HDOT indicate that the project will quickly begin come January 2025 and seeks to expand Puʻunēnē Avenue between Wākea Avenue and Kūihelani Highway (Route 380). The expansion entails widening the avenue from two lanes to four. Beyond roadway expansion, the improvement plan includes a slew of safety and utility enhancements—the likes of which encompass new sidewalks, street lighting, and optimized stormwater management systems.
Particulars of the improvements further detail a landscaped median intended to be placed between Puʻukani Street and Mayor Elmer F. Cravalho Way, and the installation of two noise barriers aimed at reducing the auditory impact on surrounding neighborhoods. The construction, anticipated to extend up until Spring 2026, aims to not merely bolster vehicular transport but to holistically enhance the pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure with a contiguous paved shoulder, ensuring multimodal accessibility.
Those interested in reviewing the planned improvements can find graphics and additional information on the HDOT website. They encourage anyone requiring special assistance or services, such as sign language interpretation or materials in an alternative format, to contact their Public Affairs Office (808-587-2160 or [email protected]) well in advance of the scheduled meeting date to ensure accommodations are arranged appropriately.
The meeting serves as an opportunity for the community to receive updates directly from HDOT representatives and to familiarize themselves with the forthcoming phases of what is a significant infrastructural development for the region.
