Roundabout to Be Built in Waikōloa

In an effort to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during the morning and afternoon, the county Department of Public Works will move ahead with constructing a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Waikōloa Road, Paniolo Drive and Pua Melia Street in Waikōloa.

“This two-lane roundabout will be a first for the Big Island and result in a safer intersection for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists,” DPW Director Ikaika Rodenhurst said in a press release. “In addition, the roundabout will decrease vehicle emissions and fuel consumption while reducing vehicle delays at the intersection.”

The safety of pedestrians is an important part of the roundabout’s design, with several features such as raised crosswalks, splitter islands at crosswalks, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons and pedestrian crossing warning signs.

The county contracted Belt-Collins Hawai‘i LLC to provide design and environmental review/permitting services for the roundabout project, which is planned to be finished by early 2025. The estimated cost of the project is $5.8 million, which will be paid for with county general obligation bonds for capital projects.

“I would like to thank the Department of Public Works for continuing to move this project forward while enlisting the community and evaluating their comments before issuing a final decision,” District 9 Hawai‘i County Council member Tim Richards said in the press release. “It has been a long road to get here, and I am thankful for the progress made thus far.”

Additional community input will be sought throughout the next 15 months as part of the design and permitting process.

Questions and concerns can be addressed to Sherise Kana‘e Kāne, DPW information and education specialist, at 808-961-8499 or via email at sherise.kanae-kane@hawaiicounty.gov.