Queen Kaahumanu Highway

There has been a lot of coverage in West Hawaii Today about the delays associated with the widening of Queen Kaahumanu highway. I think poor communication has made things worse. If more people knew what was going on –- in other words, better communication from various people just explaining what the delays are -- then people would likely be more understanding. But the lack of communication has caused unnecessary anger and frustration, and that’s not fair to the people of Kona. So, here’s my explanation of what is going on with this project.

The main issue, I think, is a lack of coordinated planning between the County and the State. There was no conversation between the County and the State during the preliminary stages. One example of this is, it was only when the State came in and started to realign the highway that the County realized it needed to go in and upgrade the sewer system for the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Plant. The sewer upgrade, as well as the realignment of potable water pipes along the route, has caused the delays.

I understand the frustration caused by the delays and the lack of communication. However, in the long run I think it is better to have the delay now. Imagine what it would be like to go ahead with the project and then have to come back one year later, stop traffic, and re-dig and retrench a newly paved four-lane highway to put in wastewater pipes.

As mayor, I will make sure my administration not only follows up with the State on upcoming projects, but actually takes the initiative to push and prod the State to make sure everything is coordinated, finding out in advance -– before these large projects even begin -– what the related issues are or how the County can better plan to tie in its impending projects into the process.

Stacy Higa