Lahaina bypass resolution sent to committee to buy time for talks

WAILUKU -- Maui County Council members referred to committee for further discussion a resolution by Council Member Don Guzman to prod the state to temporarily suspend work on Lahaina bypass projects or face possible legal action to stop them.

On Friday, most council members said discussions should continue between state and county officials to resolve problems with the bypass's current phase and public concern with northbound traffic on Honoapiilani Highway merging into a single lane at the highway's intersection with Keawe Street.

Guzman's resolution was referred to the council's Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

The resolution urges Gov. David Ige and the Department of Transportation to temporarily suspend work on the projects "to allow time for all stakeholders to discuss possible alternatives." The resolution warns that if the state does not voluntarily suspend construction the county may consider filing an injunction in court.

Residents and business operators are upset and concerned over plans to modify the Keawe Street and Honoapiilani Highway intersection to accommodate an increased number of vehicles from Keawe at the northern terminus of the bypass road. That would be the northernmost extent of the bypass until a final phase is built to Kaanapali.

The Transportation Department anticipates that 70 percent of traffic will flow onto the bypass from Olowalu, near "cut mountain," to Keawe Street. That would happen with completion of the southern portion of the bypass (possibly in March) from the Olowalu landfill in the south to Hokiokio Place, the current southern terminus of the bypass.

Members of the public have said they were not given an opportunity for input on the plans, but the DOT denies that.

Guzman has said he drafted the resolution to bring transportation officials to the table for discussion.

On Friday, he said the county can step up and try and assist in the matter. This could involve using some of the county property near the southern terminus to realign Honoapiilani Highway more mauka, he said.

"I think we should err on the side of allowing the state to respond before we take further action," Chairman Mike White said. "It's important . . . to give them a little time to take into account what you and Ms. (Elle) Cochran and the community, and everyone has discussed with them."

Guzman and Cochran both met separately with department officials on Tuesday.

Cochran concurred with White that it would be preferable to hold off on action on Guzman's resolution. She said she was "giving them the benefit of the doubt."

Cochran said she drives through the Keawe Street intersection every day and would give the DOT instant feedback if need be.

Cochran and Albert Perez, executive director of the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, met with officials on Oahu Tuesday, and they are continuing discussions with the department.

At 1:30 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers, Cochran's Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee will discuss the Keawe Street work.

On Tuesday, state transportation officials had three separate meetings with Maui officials regarding the bypass work. A teleconference was held with former department Director Ford Fuchigami, now an administrative director with Gov. Ige's office.

Also participating were department Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen, Maui District Engineering Program Manager Robin Shishido, council members, county Department of Public Works Director David Goode and Zeke Kalua, an executive assistant to Mayor Alan Arakawa.

Fuchigami also met with West and South Maui Sen. Roz Baker on Oahu. That meeting included Sniffen, Cochran and Perez.

In a news release following Tuesday's meetings, Sniffen said the DOT had been at "the table" for discussions with county, state and community officials prior to Guzman's resolution, and the department had been meeting with community members and groups whenever there had been project concerns.

While Sniffen said he understands that many West Maui residents would like to see construction on the realignment stopped, he said there have been years of planning on the highway work with members of the community and local government.

"We believe that the opening of the latest phase will have significant benefits for the majority of the community by providing an alternate route to and from West Maui," he said.

The highway improvements "will increase efficiency through the area while providing choices for those that want to go to West Maui," he said.

The department reiterated that it is "committed to making adjustments" to the projects after they open and information is gathered about traffic patterns and there is community feedback.

In the same news release, Baker said the meeting with Fuchigami was productive.

"I shared my ideas with him for upcoming legislation; and he's agreed to work with us and the community in a collaborative manner on these proposals," Baker said.

The department reiterated that the southern terminus realignment is to protect the main route to and from West Maui from coastal erosion.

It also noted that motorists cannot safely access both Honoapiilani Highway and the bypass at the southern terminus without the installation of an interchange, a traffic signal or a roundabout.

This will involve additional funding of at least $10 million, further study and environmental reviews that could take years.

The department said it's more practical to move the highway inland than make improvements vulnerable to rising sea levels.

At Friday's council meeting, Perez testified that he did not support all of Guzman's resolution, which also calls for Honoapiilani Highway to be preserved as a two-way coastal highway. Soon, the highway will succumb to coastal erosion, he said.

"We have limited funds that we should not spend money on fighting a losing battle," he said.

A two-week pause in work on the highway project would give time for more public education and outreach, Perez said.

Every month the current bypass phase is delayed costs $200,000, he said.

Sandra Brown of The Festival Cos., property manager for Lahaina Gateway Center, testified in support of Guzman's resolution.

As work began this past week on Keawe Street near the center, merchants reported seeing 20 to 40 percent fewer customers, she said.

Mike Wilkin, who lives in Ho'onanea across the street from the Gateway Center, said he expects more traffic on Keawe Street to come into an area without lights or crosswalks.

"It's going to create a dangerous situation," Wilkin said.

The project should be stopped and re-examined, he said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.