I understand there's more to it than a couple of shovels and a backhoe, but why isn't the road between Lahaina and Maalaea four-lane?
On Aug. 30, hundreds of us on Honoapiilani Highway sat trapped for hours in standstill traffic due to a terrible accident near Ukumehame. And while we sweltered in overheating cars hour after hour, several nutcases began jumping the line, passing on the right and left endangering all of us. Those lunatics gained maybe 20 car lengths before swerving back in line where law-abiding drivers steamed, hot and frustrated, but at least not insane.
God forbid Maui gets hit with a hurricane or tsunami because all on that highway will be out of luck.
During the almost 30 years I've commuted between Kihei and Kaanapali, accidents have closed Honoapiilani Highway too many times to count. Visitors miss flights, hotel reservations, activities, etc., and we locals miss work, school, appointments and home. Where's the political backbone to fix this?
Shouldn't the federal, state and/or local government step in when public safety is at risk? Surely hundreds of motorists dangerously trapped on a 20-mile stretch of highway time and time again ought to be enough to kick our elected politicians' okoles toward an immediate solution. Which one has the courage to shout: "Fix This Now!"
I sincerely pray for those involved in this crash. It's a very dangerous highway.
Mary Lawrence
Kihei
