Hawaii

[RZF]

Finally, at last, Google is starting to roll out the 2024-25 street view maps on certain roads. I found this assembly that I alluded to in another thread, that used the same panel style (E/EM, centered "H1", state highway numbers closer to the bottom). Ironically, I prefer the Clearview assembly from 2011 or so, considering the spacing looks atrocious on the outer two signs, almost as if there were no spaces at all.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5BikHkQdSPdvrWwm7

One extra space will still allow all the text to fit comfortably (pretty close to the edge on the Middle St sign, but still fits decently). Those signs were designed very poorly.

[Short n Swift]

Found two more overpass signs, both of these were from the first wave of updates in March 2025 when they updated the H1 from Ka'onohi St to Ala Kapuna St. One thing I noticed was that they actually corrected the "Ala Kapuna St" sign to add the missing "St" suffix as it's listed on most maps/sites. I didn't pass by the Aiea Heights Dr. sign when I took these photos yesterday, but I believe they also fixed the mistake where it said "Rd" instead of "Dr".

[Short n Swift]

Finally, at last, Google is starting to roll out the 2024-25 street view maps on certain roads. I found this assembly that I alluded to in another thread, that used the same panel style (E/EM, centered "H1", state highway numbers closer to the bottom). Ironically, I prefer the Clearview assembly from 2011 or so, considering the spacing looks atrocious on the outer two signs, almost as if there were no spaces at all.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5BikHkQdSPdvrWwm7

One extra space will still allow all the text to fit comfortably (pretty close to the edge on the Middle St sign, but still fits decently). Those signs were designed very poorly.

I also find it confusing how bad that sign was designed because it has a "twin" sign in Pearl Harbor that actually looks like one of the best signs I've seen from them in recent years. Then again, spaces are the main factor and this sign did not need any.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rqUDJcDE1jgbQQgH8

[Short n Swift]

Corrected version of the "'Aiea Heights Dr" overpass label that went up last month. Originally it said "Aiea Heights Rd." by mistake, which isn't surprising since there is an "Aiea Access Rd." and a  "Halawa Heights Rd" nearby. So many drivers and businesses such as UPS also make this mistake regularly.

[RZF]

Found two more overpass signs, both of these were from the first wave of updates in March 2025 when they updated the H1 from Ka'onohi St to Ala Kapuna St. One thing I noticed was that they actually corrected the "Ala Kapuna St" sign to add the missing "St" suffix as it's listed on most maps/sites. I didn't pass by the Aiea Heights Dr. sign when I took these photos yesterday, but I believe they also fixed the mistake where it said "Rd" instead of "Dr".

Are there instances of the H201 sign being wider? That font looks way too narrow.

[Short n Swift]

I was recently able to track down H1's history based on the as built docs I came across. Phases 11-15 are messy since they span so many pages that I found difficult to read, but the rest seems straightforward as when they were designed. I can roughly divide the history up into something like this:

As Mauka Arterial:

• Mauka Arterial Phase 1 (opened 1953)
  
  • Phase 1A: Isenberg St - Old Waialae Rd; mp 23.835-24.427 (1952)
  • Phase 1B: Alexander St - Isenberg St; mp 23.353-23.835 (1953)
• Mauka Arterial Phase 2 (1954, opened 1955): Keeaumoku St - Alexander St; mp 22.855-23.889 (1954), McCully and Isenberg separations and University Ave onramp to H1E (1955)

As Lunalilo Freeway Route 72:

• "Unit 3":
  
  • Lunalilo Frwy Phase 3A: Pinkham St east of Kalihi Stream to Houghtailing; mp 19.266-19.854 (1958)
  • Phase 3B: Nuuanu Stream to Pele St; mp 21.069-21.666 (1958)
  • Phase 3C: Keaaumoku Separation (1959-1961)
• Unit 4:
  
  • Phase 4A: Middle St tunnels and separation (1959)
  • Phase 4B: Lunalilo Fwy Middle/Moanalua Rd to Pinkham St; mp18.866-19.266 (1959)
• Phase 5: Lunalilo Fwy from Houghtailing to Nuuanu Stream inc. Palama Separation; mp 19.759-21.069 (1963, done 1968)

As Lunalilo Freeway Route H1:

• Phase 6: 1st Ave to Koko Head Ave; mp 24.835-25.867 (1963, completed 1966)
• Phase 7 (Queen Liliuokalani Fwy, 1965):
  
  • Phase 7A: Palalai Interchange to Makakilo Drive; mp 0.095-1.326 (I-H1-1(17) UNIT 1)
  • Phase 7B: Makakilo Drive to Palehua Road/present Kualakai Pkwy; mp 1.326-2.983 (I-H1-1(17) UNIT 2)
  • Phase 7C: Palehua Road/Kualakai Pkwy to Kunia Road; mp 2.983-5.379 (I-H1-1(18))
• Phase 8 (East Lunalilo Fwy, 1965-1966):
  
  • Phase 8A: Kapiolani Separation, Old Wailae Road to 1st Ave; mp 24.278-24.953 (1965)
  • Phase 8B: Koko Head Ave to 17th/Harding Ave (1965) and 17th to 21st Ave (1966); mp 25.805-26.217 and 24.379
  • Phase 8C: Palailai Interchange completion (mp 0-0.095) and resurfacing of the original Phase 1 and Phases 7A-7C (1966)
• Phase 9 (QL Fwy near Kunia, 1966-1967): Kunia Interchange (mp 4.882-5.401), H-1 Fwy from Kunia Road to Waikele Stream (mp 5.397-6.352) and Waikele Stream Bridge (mp 6.344-6.51)
• Phase 10 (Completion of East Lunalilo Fwy, 1967):
  
  • Phase 10A: Pele-Keeaumoku Part A, Vineyard Blvd Interchange, Pele St - Victoria St; mp 21.392-22.33
  • Phase 10B: Pele-Keeaumoku Part B, Makiki Viaduct, Victoria St - Keeaumoku St; mp 22.33-22.949
  • Phase 10C: Waialae Viaduct, 21st Ave to Kealaolu Ave, Kalanianaole Hwy becomes Waialae Ave; mp 26.47-27.136
  • Phase 10D: Kapiolani Interchange completion, including planned connection to the cancelled Makai "Boulevard" (sic)
• Phase 11 (QL Fwy from Waikele to Pearl City, 1967-68):
  
  • Phase 11A: Waikele Stream to Waiawa Interchange; mp 6.51-8.058 (1967)
  • Phase 11B: Waiawa Interchange "H1-H2 Merge", built in multiple phases; mp 8.058-9.214 (1967-1970)
  • Phase 11C: Pearl City Viaduct;  Waiawa Stream to west of Waiau Interchange (1967-68, completed 1971)
  • Phase 11D: Finalizing Kunia Rd-Waiawa Interchange (1968)
• Phase 12 (Pearl City and Waimalu, completed 1973):
  
  • Phase 12A: Halawa Interchange Approach, Aiea Stream to Kaimakani St; mp 12.835-13.039 (1970)
  • Phase 12B: Waiau Interchange to Aiea Stream; mp 10.174-12.835 (1970)
  • Phase 12C: Temporary connection to Moanalua Road after the Kaimakani St separation (1970)
• Phase 13 (Halawa interchange, proposed 1971 and completed 1986): H1 through Halawa Interchange, resurfacing of Phase 12A; mp 12.835-13.386
• Phase 14 (Salt Lake Viaduct, 1972-74):
  
  • Phase 14A: "North Leg" Viaduct; Halawa Interchange to Pearl Harbor Interchange (1972)
  • Phase 14B: Pearl Harbor Interchange to East of Valkenburg St (1973-74)
  • Phase 14C: Temporary connection to Moanalua Road after the Kaimakani St separation (1970)
• Phase 15 (Airport Viaduct and Keehi Interchange, 1975-86) gets insanely messy and hard to organize:
  
  • Phase 15A: Airport Viaduct and Interchange
  • Phase 15B: Keehi Interchange
  • Phase 15C: Keehi Interchange-Middle Street connection (designed1977)

[Short n Swift]

Found two more overpass signs, both of these were from the first wave of updates in March 2025 when they updated the H1 from Ka'onohi St to Ala Kapuna St. One thing I noticed was that they actually corrected the "Ala Kapuna St" sign to add the missing "St" suffix as it's listed on most maps/sites. I didn't pass by the Aiea Heights Dr. sign when I took these photos yesterday, but I believe they also fixed the mistake where it said "Rd" instead of "Dr".
 

Are there instances of the H201 sign being wider? That font looks way too narrow.

I believe there is one on the overpass sign near the EB Kaneohe exit but I'm not sure

[Plutonic Panda]

I can't find the article, but I saw something that it seemed like Hawaii was proposing statewide 50 MPH maximum speed limits.

[oscar]

I can't find the article, but I saw something that it seemed like Hawaii was proposing statewide 50 MPH maximum speed limits.

AFAIK, there was an not-yet-passed bill in one house of the legislature for a statewide 50 mph limit, only for heavy trucks and with other exceptions. A committee in the other house removed the speed limit reduction. Oddly enough, none of the bill versions would take effect until July 1, 3000 (!). So this seems to be still in the rough draft stage, nothing to get excited about.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=229&year=2025

[Short n Swift]

Found something interesting when looking through that Halawa interchange complex: apparently there is a ramp from H3 south that goes to westbound Moanalua Freeway, but it's not in use today. You can see a remnant of the ramp (Ramp "F") below, which is closed off even before this section was widened several years ago. Any idea what happened here?

[cahwyguy]

I'm out in Kaanapali right now. Yesterday, driving out Route 30 from Kahului, I saw what looked like an older version of Route 30 just to the inward side of the existing route, slightly up the hill, with what looked like a manmade rock wall supporting it. Was this a former iteration of Route 30. Look at the hill in this image for an example:



Images: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cGRsAQZ1vBuzFe2H9 or https://maps.app.goo.gl/kjydPVffEMWkNrYd6

The map reference is about here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@20.7811687,-156.5444969,17z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm out in Kaanapali right now. Yesterday, driving out Route 30 from Kahului, I saw what looked like an older version of Route 30 just to the inward side of the existing route, slightly up the hill, with what looked like a manmade rock wall supporting it. Was this a former iteration of Route 30. Look at the hill in this image for an example:



Images: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cGRsAQZ1vBuzFe2H9 or https://maps.app.goo.gl/kjydPVffEMWkNrYd6

The map reference is about here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@20.7811687,-156.5444969,17z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgxOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Yes, see image #6 here:

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/11/hawaii-route-30-and-hawaii-route-3000.html?m=1

[oscar]

^ I passed by the older road on several visits to Maui, the last of which was in 2019. I never got around to hiking the old road, largely because I saw no safe pullouts east of the Olowalu Tunnel. There is a drivable segment west of the tunnel, which might be a good place to leave your car, and hike east on the part of the old road closed to vehicle traffic (I recall a closure sign, but not sure it prohibited pedestrian traffic). I don't know how tough a hike that would be, other that I'm no longer up to it.

The old road might cross over the tunnel portals, perhaps letting a hiker take photos of route 30 from above.

[Short n Swift]

Speaking of Maui, Piilani Highway (Route 31) used to be nonstop from Kihei to Hana, but development nearby blocked the road and made a gap between Wailea and route 37. There is, however, an intersection stub that hints at a southern extension, possibly to south Kula near where MauiWine is.



I feel this would be a good idea to consider since it would really improve access between Kula and Kihei, possibly form an evacuation route if there is no way out of this area. I haven't seen any plans to extend it past that intersection, even though it's been like this for decades now. Why was an extension never considered here?

[Max Rockatansky]

The early alignment history of Piilani Highway in the Kihei area is murky at best.  Some now-closed primitive roads were the functional connection.  There never really has been a need for a modern highway until recently (arguably still isn't one).

[oscar]

As Short n Swift notes, there used to be a road linking the two Pi'illani Highway segments. It reportedly was a very rough unpaved private road, from Makena Alanui Road in Makena between Wailea and Makena golf courses, to the eastern Pi'ilani Hwy segment in Ulupalakua. The private landowners at least tolerated public use, until their road was closed in 1984 due to liability concerns.

My Hawaii Highways site (seriously out of date, mainly of historical value) notes two official proposals to re-connect the Pi'ilani Hwy segments. One would have extended the Piilani Hwy south from Wailea, then turning northeast and uphill to Ulupalakua. This was long a line on Hawaii DOT planning maps, but may have quietly disappeared from the latest maps without ever becoming a serious plan.

The other proposal would have built a new route 374 from route 31 in Kihei to route 37 near Pukalani. This more recent proposal went through environmental reviews and was awaiting funding availability, but those funds may've dried up as the state government deemphasized new roads (except the badly-needed route 200 project across the Big Island) in favor of just maintaining the existing highway network.

For more info, see the multiple route 31 entries on http://www.hawaiihighways.com/maui.htm and the route 374 entry on http://www.hawaiihighways.com/maui-part2.htm

[cahwyguy]

My Hawaii Highways site (seriously out of date, mainly of historical value) notes two official proposals to re-connect the Pi'ilani Hwy segments.

As one of the few who still updates their highway site, I'll encourage you to one day pick back up the Hawaii site. I always turn to the roadgeek highway sites first when I have a highway question.

[Short n Swift]

The other proposal would have built a new route 374 from route 31 in Kihei to route 37 near Pukalani. This more recent proposal went through environmental reviews and was awaiting funding availability, but those funds may've dried up as the state government deemphasized new roads (except the badly-needed route 200 project across the Big Island) in favor of just maintaining the existing highway network.

Now that you mention Route 200, I've never understood why this project is still in limbo. Supposedly they made an eis several years ago, but they never finished it due to funding issues and I have no clue on what they plan to do now. What I'm more interested though is the Route 2000 Puianako Street extension, which still splits at Komohana St after three decades and counting. I've been trying to find out what's happening there but instead I see news about a resurfacing project along the existing road that was delayed multiple times. So either they're transitioning that road west of Waiakea IS/ES into a surface road or they abandoned the project altogether.

Lots of confusing unfinished projects on the big island but the one that grabs my attention the most is the Ali'i Hwy extension north of Keauhou. The bypass road was finished south to Kealakekua not long ago, so I'd imagine that the northern segment would be next. However, it's been at least FIFTY YEARS since this was planned and nothing has changed, other than the fact that there was a boneheaded decision to make Ali'i Drive one-way in Kona that failed miserably as expected.

Still waiting on the status of the Ane Keohokalole and if it will be finished. And don't get me started on Ocean View/HOVE and whatever that monstrosity of a street grid is.

[Max Rockatansky]

You forgot about HI 197.  That actually seems like it would be much more direct in getting traffic up to HI 190 and headed east to Hilo versus what is planned for extending HI 200. 

[Short n Swift]

Route 197... that's Kealakehe Parkway, right? I wonder if that was never finished because of Hina Lani Street and Manawalea St (though residential, completed recently) serving the east-west connection. It seems like they're holding off on that until the Kealakehe subdivision grows enough to warrant a direct connection.

[Max Rockatansky]

Yes, it would make more sense to me to prioritize a state highway corridor which is actually fairly close to Kailua-Kona and functionally replaces the worst parts of HI 190.  The planned extension of HI 200 is routed way the hell north to practical for anyone living in the area. 

[Short n Swift]

I could name a ton of roads here that look like they should be extended, Kailua-Kona has loads of them. Here's some on Oahu:

• Kaakepa Street (old Cane Haul Road) from Kuahaka St to Waihona St
• Makakilo Drive to Kualakai Parkway (supposedly to be transferred to HDOT but died quickly)
• Paiwa St to Ka Uka Blvd (blocked by CORP since 2001, was this ever planned?)
• Hawaii Kai Drive from Paila St to Kamilo St East
• The above road also seemed to have a corridor preserved past Kealahou Street to the golf course and HI-72, but it got blocked by development now. Was this considered at some point?
• Akiohala Street, with its unusually wide road, to Ulumanu Drive behind Kailua High School
• Apapane Street to Halekou Road (officially dead due to development nearby, can't find any master plans that suggest a connection here)
• The short gap of Hinamoe Loop near the Likelike/Kahekili interchange, no idea if this was cut by the interchange or never built
• Anoi Road near the Kapunahala Stream
• Mohihi Street East to connect with Lualualei Naval and Auyong Homestead Roads. Not long ago there was a crash at Auyong that shut down Farrington there, I can't imagine the traffic if those short gaps were filled in though.
• Many other residential dead ends that are blocked or likely to open into future development.

The Makakilo Drive extension is baffling and I still don't know why they aren't pushing for it, since that area will become ground zero if something awful happens at the bottom of the hill. I have a feeling that one is permanently dead.

[oscar]

The planned extension of HI 200 is routed way the hell north to practical for anyone living in the area. 

My impression is that the routing is largely for resort-bound traffic, both tourists and resort workers.

[Short n Swift]

Are there any plans out there to extend the Ane K. Highway past Hina Lani and to the northern segment connecting with UH HCC? The last update I could find was from 2017.

Same question for Kamanu Street, though it runs through a quarry so I don't expect that one going up.