Public Meeting Tuesday on Kapiolani Extension Project

The county Department of Public Works will hold an informational meeting Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Kapiolani Street Extension Project. The meeting will be held at the County Council chambers in the county Building on Aupuni Street.

The project will connect Kapiolani from Lanikaula Street near the University of Hawaii at Hilo to near Mohouli Street, where it currently ends at the new Hospice of Hilo facility.

The new roadway will include a concrete bridge over Waiakea Stream, bike lanes, a central median and turning lane, and sidewalks, curbs and gutters.

According to a recently released environmental assessment, the extension will provide enhanced access to undeveloped state lands for public uses, including proposed new student housing. It will also improve traffic flow on Kilauea and Kinoole streets by providing an alternate route.

The council approved spending $8.7 million in bond revenues for the nearly half-mile project.

Department spokeswoman Noelani Whittington said design for the project that is expected to get underway next year will determine whether additional funds are required. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.

Kapiolani Street will be extended toward Mohouli Street from its current terminus at Lanikaula Street, near the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus. Photo by Dave Smith.

According to the EA, the extension has been recognized on official county maps since 1967, and the county has been working to ensure that lease of state land in the area included rights-of-way for the extension.

The environmental assessment prepared by Geometrician Associates said no valuable species or habitat was present in the project area. An archaeological survey revealed only remnants of flood control, sugar cane cultivation and dairy uses in the area, none of which were significant enough for preservation.

As a result, the Department of Public Works has indicated that it will issue a finding of no significant impact for the project.