Work on the first phase of the Lahaina bypass has been postponed indefinitely while a new archaeological study is conducted, the Maui News reported.

State Department of Transportation Director Barry Fukunaga asked the public "for its patience and understanding" while his agency completes a new archaeological assessment of two sites in the project area. Work cannot begin until the assessment is completed.

Work on the bypass had been scheduled to begin in July, but was postponed when the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Historic Preservation Division recommended more archaeological work in the project area.