Kona Bypass Roadway Now Open 24/7

The Mamalahoa Highway Bypass extending from Kailua-Kona’s Ali`i Drive south to Kealakekua is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The roadway was developed as a condition of approvals for the upscale Hokulia development on the coastline below Kealakekua.

It was initially opened in 2009 for limited hours to ease rush-hour traffic between Kailua-Kona and South Kona under a temporary agreement with 1250 Oceanside Partners, the developer of Hokulia. The company transferred its rights to the roadway to the county last month.

The county Department of Public Works recently completed improvements to the roughly three-mile-long road in anticipation of the full-time opening. That included paving of shoulders, installation of guardrails, removal of a speed hump and restoring the road at its Ali`i Drive entrance.

The bypass extends from the Keauhou area of Ali`i Drive to the bottom of Haleki`i Street in the Kona Scenic subdivision.

“We’re happy to announce that this much-needed bypass is now permanent,” said Mayor Billy Kenoi. “It is yet another important piece of infrastructure critical to improving the traffic situation for the people of West Hawai’i.”

Future plans include extending the bypass from Haleki`i Street to the junction of Mamalahoa Highway and Napo`opo`o Road.