Kamehameha Avenue Narrows to Two Lanes Monday

Expect major traffic restrictions in the area of Hilo’s bayfront beginning next week when renovations to Kamehameha Avenue kick into higher gear, a Department of Public Works spokeswoman said.

On Monday, the portion of the busy four-lane roadway between Ponahawai Street and Pauahi Street will be reduced to two lanes on the mauka side.

The change to two lanes of traffic, which will be extended further down Kamehameha sometime in March, will be in effect through September.

The two left-hand lanes on this stretch of Kamehameha Avenue will be closed for about seven months beginning on Monday. Photo by Dave Smith.

Left and right turns onto Pauahi Street will continue, spokeswoman Noelani Whittington said.

New, temporary access roads from the Bayfront Highway will be constructed to two public parking lots on the makai side of Kamehameha Avenue. On the one closest to Pauahi Street, also known as the Cow Palace lot, a highway median will restrict entry to southbound traffic only.

The bus stop and Park & Ride at the other parking lot involving the Hele-On Bus’ South Kohala service moved earlier this month to the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, with passengers being picked up at Francis Wong Stadium.

The $13 million effort involves major renovations to the road, its sidewalks and drainage from Ponahawai Street to a location just short of the Hilo Iron Works building adjacent to Wailoa Bridge.

This map provided by the county Department of Public Works shows the boundaries of the Kamehameha Avenue Renovation project.