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Safer road to Hana proposed
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
In an effort to reduce rockfall hazards on Hana Highway, the state Department of Transportation is planning to rebuild the famous road in 35 locations.
Advertiser library photo • Jan. 26, 2000
Officials said the effort not only will make the road safer, but will reduce traffic delays caused by landslides on the winding road that is a lifeline to the remote East Maui communities.
Visitors stop to enjoy one of the many waterfalls and streams along Hana Highway on Maui. The state Department of Transportation plans to rebuild portions of the road in an effort to reduce rockfall hazards.
A draft environmental assessment describes an estimated $2 million project, with the first two sites tabbed for reconstruction near the Haipua'ena Bridge at milepost 11 and Wailua Lookout at milepost 19.
Project engineer Scot Urada said proposals for the two sites include the installation of draped meshing on the mauka slopes, construction of a concrete barrier and moving the highway seaward to create catchment areas for falling rocks.
Urada said a range of ideas will be presented in public meetings in Ha'iku, Ke'anae and Hana tentatively scheduled for March 18 to 20. He said officials will be seeking guidance on possible road closures and construction schedules.
Construction is anticipated in early 2004.
The deadline for public comment on the draft environmental assessment is March 25. Address comments to: Department of Transportation, Highways Division
Erosion is a constant battle for maintaining a road that cuts through rain forest and clings to the side of towering sea cliffs much of the way.
To comment
601 Kamokila Blvd., Room 688
Kapolei, HI 96707
"Landslides and falling rocks are very problematic,'' said Ferdinand "Fred" Cajigal, Maui District engineer for the state highways division. "We've had lawsuits and lots of incidents where we've closed the road. It's worse on rainy days."
The DOT project grew out of the recommendations of a consultant hired to examine the rockfall problem.
An estimate in 2000 placed the cost of addressing all 35 sites at about $17 million to $18 million, Urada said, but the figure may change as each individual project is designed and bid for construction. Construction will be paid for with state highway money, and future projects will start as money becomes available, he said.
For the first project, draped meshing is proposed for use in catching rocks on the shorter slope of milepost 11, while a concrete barrier and fencing is proposed for the taller slope of milepost 19.
Also as proposed, the new roadway will cantilever out over the downslope portion on the makai side.
The cantilever will be designed to permit movements of 2 to 3 inches in case of an earthquake. Twin rows of deep shaft foundations will support the cantilevered roadway to a maximum of 9 feet out. The foundations will be drilled and filled with cast-in-place concrete and supported by tie beams. Guardrails will be placed alongside all new portions of the roadway.
