The Maui News

County and project officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning for a new $2 million bus hub in Kahului.

The Central Maui Transit Hub will be located off Vevau Street near Kane Street and will replace the current transit hub on the Wailuku side of Queen Ka’ahumanu Center.

“This will be Maui County’s first transit hub designed and built to serve those who choose public transportation,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a news release following the groundbreaking. “It’s great news for the community and the environment. This project will enable safe, convenient travel and access for people of all ages and abilities.”

The new transit hub will include a ticket office, ADA-accessible restrooms, covered seating, bike racks, lighting, and cans for trash and recycling, the county said.

The Maui Bus fixed route system had 1.37 million boardings in fiscal year 2020, according to the county.

Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, which hosts the Maui Bus system’s busiest hub, came to an agreement with the county to extend the lease for the current terminal until July 2021 to allow time to finish building the new hub nearby. Work is expected to be finished by the end of the year, the county said.

“We’re very thankful for the continued support from our state legislators and our County Council,” county Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori said in the news release. “We’re excited to begin construction of our new, centrally located transit hub. This project will provide comfortable seating, shade, lighting and security for everyone who relies on public transportation.”

The county is working with the state, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and its project team, including Fukumoto Engineering, Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects, Munekiyo Hiraga, West Maui Construction and Bowers+Kubota.