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Last weekend's giant south swell washed away any doubts about prioritizing the realignment of Honoapiilani Highway in Ukumehame and Olowalu.
The question is where.
Based on our conversation with Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen earlier this month, the realignment is expected to be completed in 2024 and shift the highway a half-mile inland. He said the new alignment is designed to accommodate development makai of the road.
"We want development," Sniffen said during a break in leading U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino on a site visit of the threatened oceanfront artery on July 7.
When Victorino was asked that day about development makai of the road, he said his understanding of the county plan was to keep open space between the old and new alignments. Victorino said the county purchased land to head off development as part of the Pali to Puamana Parkway Master Plan.
It would be nice if the state and county were on the same page with this. For all its faults and dangers of being washed away, the stretch of road provides the most accessible ocean views on Maui. Where else in Hawaii do so many people get to drive so close to the water for such a long stretch? While other shores have been monetized and developed, this one still belongs to the public.
Of course we want the new alignment to be out of harm's way, but there should be a middle ground that correlates with the county's intentions and investments. It is important to note, when the new alignment is completed the lower road goes away. Sections may be used for beach parking lots and bikeways, but unlike the stretch of Honoapiilani Highway still open below Lahaina Bypass, there will be no more drives along the coast in Ukumehame.
Are the million-dollar views now enjoyed for free to be blocked by hedges and mansions? By convenience stores and shopping centers? If Sniffen and the Department of Transportation are not working with Maui County to come up with the best possible route for all involved, why not?
It reminds us of the game of chicken being played over the grade-separated crossing of Piilani Highway. The long-awaited Kihei high school is slated to open its campus in January, yet the state Department of Education just launched a study to evaluate alternatives for its mandated crossing.
Sniffen has vowed to block the underpass championed by the Kihei Community Association and South Maui representatives. He says crosswalks on Kihei's new two-lane roundabout should be sufficient. The association counters that relying solely on crosswalks is not only less safe, it will doom the roundabout to long lines of backed-up traffic.
It is time for the Honolulu-down approach to stop and for the state to work in tandem with this county and its people.