Congressman Kai Kahele (left) gets a lay of the land of busy Piilani Highway with Kihei Community Association Vice President Ron Weltman Thursday afternoon during a tour with members of the association and Maui County Council Member Kelly King, who holds the South Maui residency seat. Behind them, traffic is being diverted in three contraflow lanes around a portion of the site of Piilani Highway’s soon-to-be-built two-lane roundabout. Kahele faces toward the bridge that is proposed for a pedestrian underpass to allow students and community members safe access to the schools, neighborhoods and businesses mauka of the highway, and without stopping traffic on Piilani. On his way to the site visit, Kahele and his aides got stuck in traffic slowed by construction projects on both Piilani and South Kihei Road that made them a half-hour late.

SECOND PHOTO: Kihei Community Association member Andrew Beerer (second from left) explains to Congressman Kai Kahele where the proposed pedestrian underpass would be built under Piilani Highway’s Waipuilani Bridge during a visit on Thursday afternoon. On social media, Kahele expressed “full support” of a grade-separated crossing for the area. A crossing is a condition for the new Kihei high school to be opened, but the state Department of Transportation is hoping that the roundabout on Piilani Highway will help alleviate traffic and safety concerns.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos