First Round of Virtual Public Informational Meetings Scheduled for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is in the process of updating the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for the next four-year cycle. The first round of virtual public informational meetings will discuss the STIP development process and solicit input.

The STIP is a four-year programming implementation document that identifies State and County transportation projects to be funded in part with federal funds. HDOT is responsible for the development of the STIP programs for the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.

The first round of virtual public informational meetings for Hawaii Island and Kauai will be held using Microsoft Teams. Meeting dates, times, and information on how to join follows:

Hawaii Island Meeting #1 – Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to join on May 24 or call in to 1 (808) 829-4853 using Phone Conference ID: 501 252 550#

Kauai Meeting – Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to join on May 25 or call in to 1 (808) 829-4853 using Phone Conference ID: 997 865 157#

Hawaii Island Meeting #2 – Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to join on May 27 or call in to 1 (808) 829-4853 using Phone Conference ID: 386 075 349#

To request language interpretation, an auxiliary aid, or special services (e.g., sign language interpreter, materials in alternate format), please contact the HDOT Public Affairs Office (808-587-2160 or DOTPAO@hawaii.gov) prior to the meeting date. Please submit requests in a timely manner to allow an adequate period to fulfill requests.

Meeting materials are posted on the STIP website here. Information on the STIP website includes the proposed Hawaii Island and Kauai FFY 2022-2025 (+2) STIP program, project location maps, survey, and an online version of the survey. Surveys may be completed online or submitted by using the contact information below by Monday, June 28, 2021.

Highway Planning Branch 869 Punchbowl Street, Room 301 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 email: hwy.stip.projects@hawaii.gov fax: (808) 587-1787

Comments and questions can also be submitted on SpeakUp through https://hidot.granicusideas.com/projects/stip

The second round of meetings to share the proposed fiscally constrained FFY 2022-2025 (+2) STIP that will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for approval will be scheduled after this first round of meetings. We encourage participation, as comments received will help to guide the finalization of the STIP.

STIP projects on the islands of Oahu and Maui are programmed through the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (Oahu MPO) and Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (Maui MPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) processes. Once the Oahu and Maui TIPs are approved, they are added to the STIP without change. For more information and to get involved in the development of the TIP please see:


• Oahu TIP (https://www.oahumpo.org/plans-and-programs/transportation-improvement-program-tip/)
• Maui TIP (https://mauimpo.org/transportation-improvement-program-tip) websites.


Follow the STIP on Twitter and Facebook at:
https://twitter.com/HISTIPNews
https://fb.me/HawaiiSTIP

UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series: How To Renovate Housing Policy In A Way That Really Works

Please join Representative Nakamura as a guest speaker on a UH Live Online Event entitled: “How To Renovate Housing Policy In A Way That Really Works" on Tuesday, May 11 at 8:00am.

For more information and how to register for the event please follow the link.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Smoke Testing For Hanalei Hill Landslide Project Scheduled For Thursday, April 15

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) informs Kauai residents of smoke testing planned for April 15 on the water tunnel exposed by the March 11 landslide on Kuhio Highway (Route 560) near the intersection of Hanalei Plantation Road.  To locate the entrance(s) to the tunnel, large quantities of smoke will be blown into the tunnel by jet fans to force smoke out of any upstream entrance(s). Historic maps from the 1800’s suggest that the water tunnel was connected to systems in the Princeville area.

The smoke test will use non-toxic, odorless, white, or gray smoke. During the test, drones will be flown to assist with spotting smoke exiting the tunnel.  If you see smoke during the smoke testing operation, please call (808) 220-4226.  Once the water source(s) feeding the tunnel is found, work to cut off the water source will take place to improve the stability of the highway.

All work is weather permitting and will not affect the scheduled access on Kuhio Highway at Hanalei Hill. For the access schedule and latest updates visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/.

Women's Legislative Caucus Assembles 22nd Annual Easter Basket Collection for Families in Need

Today was the 22nd Caucus Easter Basket Drive here at the Capitol. The Women's Legislative Caucus organizes this event every year to collect and donate Easter baskets filled with essential items for families in need. Mahalo Rep. Branco and Sen. Lee, who were our Easter Bunny and Easter Duckling respectively, and to everyone who donated.

If you'd like to make a virtual donation, they are being accepted at domesticviolenceactioncenter.org, ihshawaii.org, pacthawaii.org, and at hawaii.salvationarmy.org

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Update on Kuhio Highway Closures: Friday, March 19, 2021

SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO KUHIO HIGHWAY IN HANALEI

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will open Kuhio Highway (Route 560) on the north shore of Kauai at mile marker 1 approaching Hanalei Bridge (“Hanalei Hill”) for scheduled public access beginning Saturday, March 20, 2021.

The schedule for public access will be:

Saturday, March 20 through Friday, March 26

• Morning access: 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
• Afternoon access: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day except Wednesdays
• Wednesday afternoon access: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Evening access: 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• (Note, afternoon access was planned around Hanalei School schedule)

Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28

• 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

During access hours the highway at Hanalei Hill will be open to single lane, alternating traffic for passenger cars and light trucks. These vehicles will be escorted through the work zone by a pilot vehicle.

A detour for heavy trucks (e.g., those with payloads exceeding ¾ ton such as Ford Super Duty F-350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 or larger) has been established via Ka Haku Road, Lei O Papa Road, and Hanalei Plantation Road. Heavy trucks will not be allowed at Hanalei Hill until further notice due to concerns with loads on the highway near the landslide.

On March 29, the contractor will be on a 10-hour workday, six days a week. Public access will continue to follow the morning, afternoon, and evening schedule posted above. On Sundays, when there will be no work at the site, access will be from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The public access schedule will ensure safety, efficient single lane alternating movement through the area, and necessary construction hours for the emergency repairs and long term mitigations.

Updates and the public access schedule will be posted at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/

Hawaii State Capitol-Room 431, 415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Representative Nadine K. Nakamura