Kaumualiʻi Highway Widening, Anonui Street TO Maluhia Road
Overview
The Hawai'i Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is preparing an Environmental Study to evaluate the potential improvements to Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) from Anonui Street to Maluhia Road.
The Proposed Project aims to maintain and enhance Kaumuali‘i Highway as a safe, efficient, and resilient transportation corridor while balancing Kaua‘i’s environmental and land use priorities.
Project Background
Kaumuali‘i Highway (Route 50) is a vital transportation corridor on the island of Kaua‘i, linking the urban center of Līhu‘e with communities in West and South Kaua‘i.
Corridor improvements were first identified in the Kauaʻi Long-Range Land Transportation Plan (1997) as part of a broader strategy to meet the island’s transportation needs through 2020. In 2000, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was published for the “Improvements to Kaumuali‘i Highway, Līhu‘e to West of Maluhia Road” project, which evaluated the widening of the highway over several miles. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued, and construction began in phases. One segment—from Anonui Street to Rice Street—was completed in 2015. However, the full scope of improvements envisioned in the 2000 EA remains unfinished, contributing to ongoing congestion and reduced travel efficiency along the corridor.
Improving Corridor Travel
The transportation needs assessment area extends from the original corridor plan by completing the highway widening from Anonui Street to Maluhia Road, a length of approximately 5 miles. See the map below.
The Project is proposed to:
- Address current and future travel demands
- Address increasing congestion challenges (a priority for the District of Kaua’i)
- Enhance safety
- Support multimodal connectivity
Current Project Activity: Public Scoping
The Public Scoping period begins Tuesday, August 26, 2025 and runs through September. Public comments will be received until September 26, 2025.
Open House Meeting Aug. 26, 2025
HDOT will hold an in-person Open House on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (registration begins at 5:00 pm).
If you cannot attend the in-person Open House, a Virtual Meeting will be provided the following evening on Wednesday, August 27 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Please register to receive the Zoom Meeting Link.
Meeting Location
Kauaʻi Community College, Fine Arts Auditorium
3-1901 Kaumualiʻi Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766
Directions
- The Fine Arts Auditorium (FAC) is located in the center of the campus; see Building 5 on the map.
- Follow signage to the meeting room.
- Visitor parking is available on campus for free. See the map for the parking lots closest to the FAC.
Meeting Materials
Materials will be posted following the meeting:
- Meeting Boards (PDF)
- Meeting Handout (PDF)
How to Comment
We invite you to share your input to help inform the scope of the Environmental Study, including potential environmental concerns, feedback on the draft purpose and need, draft alternatives, and local knowledge of the area.
What kind of comments is the project team looking for during scoping?
- Environmental concerns
- Purpose and need for the project
- Alternatives to consider
- Local knowledge that may inform the study
How do I submit a comment?
Written comments may also be mailed via U.S. Mail to:
Hawai'i Department of Transportation
c/o HDR
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 400
Honolulu, HI 96813-3403
Environmental Process and Study Schedule
The environmental study will follow procedures specified under the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) and, because federal funding might be sought, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This process includes:
- Gather input from the public, agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Establish a purpose (solution) and need (problems) for the project.
- Define the details of the proposed action and any alternatives.
- Evaluate environmental impacts of the proposed action and compare them with no action conditions.
- Select an Action Alternative(s) for detailed analysis that balances transportation needs with environmental impacts.
The NEPA “class of action” has not been determined at this time but it is currently envisioned that an Environmental Assessment is appropriate.
Data Collection & Analysis - February - October 2025
- Develop conceptual alternatives
- Public Scoping Open House - August 2025
Refine Alternatives - February - September 2025
Select a Build Alternative - October 2025
Initiate consultations on any impact to cultural or historic resources and endangered species and their habitats - October 2025
Comment period on the Draft Environmental Study - March 2026
Public meeting on the Draft Environmental Study - March 2026
Issue "decision document" - October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
The environmental study will examine a range of topics including traffic, noise, biological resources, water resources, visual impacts, land use, cultural resources, and historic resources. It will also evaluate alternatives.
Construction is anticipated to begin after the completion of the environmental review and final design. While exact timing is not known at this time and will depend on funding and approvals, construction could begin as early as in 2028. The duration of construction will depend on final phasing.
Construction would likely be phased to minimize disruption. Temporary lane closures or detours may be necessary, but a detailed traffic management plan would be developed to maintain access and ensure safety.
This project is currently programmed in the STIP and is expected to be funded through a combination of federal (FHWA) and state (HDOT) funds.
Multimodal features such as sidewalks, shared-use paths, or bike lanes are being considered and will be evaluated as part of the alternatives in the environmental study process.
The environmental study will evaluate whether widening is the best way to meet transportation needs. Public input on transit or other alternatives is requested during the scoping phase.
Project updates will be posted on the project website. You can also request to receive email notifications about meeting notices and document releases by emailing info@kaumualiihighway.com.
Please email info@kaumualiihighway.com to reach out to the project team directly with questions or concerns.
Resources
2001 Kaumualii Widening EA (PDF)Submit a Comment
Submit public scoping comments to the project team by September 26, 2025 by using this form: