I agree with the April 22 letter writer regarding a sensible solution to the ongoing traffic jam through Paia. The State of Hawaii can’t afford to be building a longer-than-necessary route. No homes would be lost by routing the new road mauka of the old Paia Mill before returning to sea level at Hookipa.

Regarding concerns of past flooding at Baldwin Beach, that can easily be resolved by adequate roadway drainage being installed during the construction of the new road. There will still be plenty of tourists desiring to go to Paia town and those merchants will benefit by the reduction in auto congestion.

Anyone who attempts to cross Hana Highway at the Baldwin Avenue intersection signal knows how dangerous it currently is for the pedestrian. And residents will benefit from a decrease in time spent idling in traffic trying to get through Paia town on their way to and from work.

Build a longer and more expensive road than Paia and the north shore community need? I don’t think so.

Dan Judson

Makawao