Traffic on Highway 130
Puna’s population is growing rapidly, and needs new roadway infrastructure to keep up with this growth. It is not just a solution to traffic — an alternate route also creates multiple ways to exit and enter Puna in times of an emergency or a natural disaster, like a volcanic eruption or hurricane.
In 2022, Vice Speaker Ilagan successfully advocated for a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) of $1 million, provided that Hawaii County matches $500 thousand.
This $1.5 million would be used to conduct site surveys to identify the most suitable location for an alternate route in Puna below Highway 130 on Hawaii Island.
On January 24, 2024, the Hawaii County Council voted against County Bill 107, which would have allowed for the acceptance of $1 million in State funds. This funding was intended to support a study on an alternative route for Puna Makai.
On March 06, 2024, Hawaii County Council approved County Bill 131, which accepts $1 million in State funds, supplemented by an additional $1 million from the county, totaling $2 million. These funds are earmarked for the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works to carry out a comprehensive study on alternative routes in both Puna Makai and Mauka areas.
With the necessary funding secured, it’s expected that the Public Works Department will need 3 to 4 months to hire a professional consultant and define the study’s scope, aiming to explore alternative routes across all of Puna, not just a segment as previously planned.
Public Works will take an additional 12 to 18 months to complete the study, including public and stakeholder engagement. This period will be crucial before proposing any potential infrastructure projects.
Background
By 2035, it is anticipated that Puna will nearly double its current population. In comparison, North and South Hilo districts are expected to increase 10% or less by 2035.
Puna is home to many people who work in Hilo. As a result, average traffic volumes near Hilo on Highway 130 peak at approximately 20,200 vehicles per day in each direction.
Highway 130 is the sole access point between Hawaii Belt Road and communities on the eastern tip of the Big Island (Puna, Pāhoa, Kalapana), and an alternate route would create an additional way to exit and enter Puna.
But an alternate route is not just a solution to traffic — it also creates multiple ways to escape from a natural disaster, like volcanic eruption or hurricane, from Hilo to Puna or Puna to Hilo.
Therefore, we will actively work towards building an alternate route between Puna Makai and Hilo. The process itself will take some time to complete, so thank you for your patience as we go through the required steps to get this project done.
At the appropriate time, we will need community feedback. Call our office at (808) 586-6530 to be put on our call list so you know when you can submit feedback.