Maui Lani Roundabout Opens!

On July 29, 2020, the long-awaited Maui Lani Roundabout was officially opened to the public, earlier than expected.  Construction began at the intersection of Kamehameha Avenue and Maui Lani Parkway on April 27, 2020 and was then closed for continuous construction on June 15, 2020.  This project is a huge win for the community and took about six years to come to fruition. The Healthy Eating + Active Living Coalition (HEAL), Blue Zones Project Central Maui, Maui Metropolitan Planning Organizations and many others involved in the Built Environment Committee have advocated for this project and the benefits of roundabouts including safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and other modes of active transportation.

The Director of the Maui County Department of Public Works, Rowena Dagdag-Andaya hosted the opening ceremony with guests including Maui County Council members, Maui County Department of Public Works engineering team, contractor Goodfellow Bros., and Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. Mayor Victorino gave opening remarks and was the first person to drive through the roundabout.

After almost six years of planning and construction, the completion of the roundabout is a wonderful achievement for the Maui County Department of Public Works now that the project is completed in record time. The roundabout includes pedestrian signals and splitter islands were included with crosswalks to make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists. These additions are great for kids and families who live in the area and especially important due to its location near Pōmakaʻi Elementary. The roundabout was designed with the center as a mountable curb to accommodate larger vehicles such as construction trucks, buses, fire trucks, and other service vehicles.

The feedback from the community has been nothing but positive since opening day. To learn more about this project please visit the Maui Lani Roundabout Facebook page. To connect with the HEAL Coalition for Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi, please contact the HEAL Community Coordinator Lauren Loor at lauren@hiphi.org.