HANALEI—A new sidewalk project on the North Shore has the community beaming with excitement. Everyone anticipates a new, safer, and walkable route.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is currently constructing a sidewalk on the Makai side of Kuhio Highway between Anae Road and the Hanalei Post Office and between Aku Road and the Hanalei Dolphin as part of HDOT’s Princeville to Hanalei Resurfacing and Safety Improvements project.
The construction project also includes the installation of raised crosswalks for safer pedestrian crossings and speed humps to slow motorists down, as presented and discussed with the North Shore community back in June 2022.
As a smoother path comes to fruition, the ongoing construction work gives residents like Laura Pico joy. The completion of the new sidewalk will give her an extra layer of safety, not only for her and her child but also for all the children who attend school nearby and play in the neighborhood.
“It’s a long time coming,” said Pico. “It’s so exciting to be able to think that we can like, ride bikes, or just like, knowing that the kids are going to be safe while walking on their own. It just makes Hanalei that much more versatile to be able to do more things.”
“You know Kealia has a sidewalk and a bike path, Princeville has sidewalks, so now to have one, it’s a big deal,” she added. “We’re so grateful to everyone, the county, and Hanalei Initiative for this great sidewalk.”
HDOT also noted that private landowners are collaborating on the project. The private landowners are constructing a section of the sidewalk, beginning from the ‘Slow Yourself Down’ sign to the Hanalei Dolphin. After that privately built section is completed, it will be maintained and dedicated to HDOT.
HDOT estimates that the Princeville to Hanalei Resurfacing and Safety Improvements project will be completed by March 2026.
To view the full schedule of HDOT’s road closures or for further information regarding road work on Kauai, please visit the department’s website at hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork.