If you're planning to cruise through Lahaina in the coming nights, prepare for some potential delays. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is warning of expected traffic hiccups due to the transport of modular homes for wildfire survivors. These homes are being shipped to both Ka Laʻi Ola housing site and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Kilohana site in Lahaina, according to an official HDOT announcement.
The modular homes bound for Ka Laʻi Ola will travel in a six-truck convoy from Kahului to Lahaina tonight and tomorrow, starting at 10 p.m. until just before midnight. Beginning at the staging area near Kahului small boat ramp, the trucks will proceed along Kahului Beach Road and navigate through the island’s highway network to reach their destination. As the modular units make their way, drivers can expect slowdowns and traffic stops in both directions.
Drivers should be particularly cautious during the hauling schedule for the FEMA Kilohana project. From tomorrow through Wednesday, hauling operations will take place nightly from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Up to two transport hauls per night are planned, with as many as five trucks at a time carrying the prefabricated homes from Hansen Road to a site north of the Lahaina Bypass. Motorists may encounter slowdowns and should follow all posted signage and instructions from traffic controllers during this time.
For those seeking the most current updates on these hauls, the HDOT has recommended checking in with their social media feeds. Posting on platforms such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/HawaiiDepartmentOfTransportation) and X (@DOTHawaii), HDOT endeavors to keep the public informed on schedule changes or updates and will post the latest information about these ongoing operations. With large modular units in tow, the trucks will compel a temporary reordering of highway rhythms, escorted by guides to ensure the safety of all. Motorists commuting along the route should maintain extra vigilance during these transport hours.
