Route 72

Hawaii State Route 72

Route 72 loops around the southeastern side of Oahu along an 18.43 mile course from the east end of Interstate H1 (Lunalilo Freeway) to Route 61 (Kalaniana'ole Highway / Kailua Road) at Maunawili. Route 72 continues Kalaniana'ole Highway southeast from Route 61 to Waimānalo Beach along Waimānalo Bay. Running along the Pacific Ocean, Route 72 encircles the southeastern extent of the Koolau Range to Makapu'u Head, where Kalaniana'ole Highway turns south.

Kalaniana'ole Highway angles southwest along Kaiwi Channel to Koko Crater and Hanauma Bay. Route 72 turns west from there to Hawai'i Kai, where the highway expands to a four lane boulevard. The remainder of Route 72 west into Honolulu is urban as Kalaniana'ole Highway runs along the north side of Maunalua Bay to Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina and I-H1 at Wai'alae.

Hawaii Route 72 Guides

Historically Route 72 continued west across Honolulu, taking the initial stretch of the Lunalilo Freeway completed by Moiliili in Honolulu. Route 72 followed Waialae Avenue east from there to Waialae and the couplet of Lunalilo Street west and Kinau Street east between Ke'eamoku Street and Vineyard Boulevard.

Route 72 followed Vineyard Boulevard (Route 98) northwest to Route 63 (Kalihi Street), where the next section of the Lunalilo Freeway was constructed westward to Middle Street. Route 72 continued along Moanalua Road northwest to Fort Shafter and Aiea.

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Page Updated Sunday January 21, 2024.