Introduction
The State Department of Transportation in consultation with the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is studying the environmental impacts of building a highway bypass around Waimea:
The following consultants are involved:
Robert Y. Akinaka
Akinaka & Associates Limited
3049 Ualena Street Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 836-1900
rya@akinaka.com
Within the State Department of Transportation, the project manager is Nelson Sagum, 808-587-1834, nelson.sagum@hawaii.gov (who is also the State DOT project manager for the Kawaihae Rd. Bypass project).
The State Department of Transportation can be reached here.
What Do Existing Plans Say?
The Waimea Bypass is called for by a number of local plans:
The 2005 County General Plan includes the following statement: "Studies are on-going for the construction of a new bypass highway around the town of Waimea (Waimea Bypass) and a new road from Waimea to Kawaihae (Kawaihae Road Realignment). Construction of these transportation segments will be needed to accommodate the anticipated expansions of resort areas along the coast, commuter traffic from Hamakua and Waimea and the transportation of goods to and from the Kawaihae Harbor." It also includes the following specific course of action: "Encourage the construction of a Waimea by-pass road from Mud Lane to Mamalahoa Highway on the Kona side of Waimea."
Self-Guided Tour
If you missed our guided tour, take this self-guided tour of possible roadway alignments:
Self-Guided Tour Fact Sheet Note that the centerline of the proposed Waimea Bypass alignment is marked by a series of four-inch diameter, ten-foot tall white plastic posts, so you cannot miss it.
Road Map showing viewing stations on public property.
Environmental Impact Statement Prepartion Notice
Click on the following links to download indicated portions of the Waimea Bypass Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Preparation Notice:
Current Issues
The following issues have been mentioned related to the Waimea Bypass project:
How can the impacts of the road on Hawaiian homesteaders and other local residents be minimized?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative alignments under consideration?
Does the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands plan to create commercial developments (e.g., for big box stores, as it has done in Hilo) along the roadway to generate income to use to build the roads, bridges and water lines needed to supply residential lots to other homesteaders?
How can tourists be directed to dining and shopping opportunities in downtown Waimea? How can they be directed to the Parker Ranch Historic Homes?
The Northwest Hawaii Regional Plan calls for a 300-foot wide buffer zone to be maintained on both sides of the bypass. Is that feasible?
In the vicinity of the Waimea Town Center, the proposed route for the bypass is much further south than had been proposed in earlier studies. How should the land be zoned between the current urban district boundary and the roadway?
Both before and after the Waimea Bypass is constructed but before the Kawaihae Road Bypass is constructed, how can trucks be routed around downtown Waimea and encouraged to use the Lalamilo Connector Road instead?
How can noise from truck acceleration and deceleration at intersections near residences be mitigated?
The Hawaii Bike Plan calls for bike paths to be provided along the roadway. Is that feasible? How can these bike paths be connected to other planned bike paths in the area, such as the Waimea Trails and Greenways project.
What are the design options for the intersection of the Waimea Bypass and Mamalahoa Highway?
What are the design options for the intersection of the Waimea Bypass and the extension of Lindsey Rd.? When will Parker Ranch and the County be able to construct the extension?
What are the design options for the intersection of the Waimea Bypass and Uakikoni Alanui Rd.?
What are the design options for the intersection of the Waimea Bypass and Mana Rd.?
Should the State and/or County be identifying and reserving corridors for a future light rail system as is occurring on Oahu and Maui? Should the corridor for a light rail system that would eventually serve Waimea follow the alignments of the Waimea Bypass and the Kawaihae Road Bypass?
Communications
The following communications have been received that identify issues to be considered in planning for the project:
If you are aware of other issues, please communicate them to us. We want everyone to be heard.
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