“Aloha,
Mahalo for sharing your concerns about the Poʻipū Road Safety and Mobility Project.
This project was shaped through years of community input and collaboration. Comprehensive visioning and design workshops were held in 2013, followed by multiple public meetings in 2019 and 2020 where residents, business owners, and other stakeholders were invited to review design concepts and provide feedback. The final design reflects the balance of those discussions, community priorities, and modern safety standards. In 2022, the Kaua‘i County Council approved a resolution establishing three new roundabouts and other traffic control changes for the Po‘ipū Road project, including the roundabout and crosswalks at the intersection of Po‘ipū Road and Kiahuna Plantation Drive.
We understand that the removal of a few large trees has raised concern. The County and its design team have worked closely with designers and arborists to preserve as many trees as possible along the corridor. In several areas, the project was redesigned specifically to save trees that were initially flagged for removal. Of the approximately 48 yellow trumpet trees along Waikomo Stream, nearly all are being preserved. Unfortunately, in some cases, certain trees cannot be retained without compromising pedestrian and vehicular safety, accessibility, or traffic operations.
The roundabout design at Kiahuna Plantation Drive is a key safety feature intended to slow vehicle speeds, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A smaller roundabout would not be as effective at slowing vehicles continuing through the roundabout on Po‘ipū Road, reducing safety for all users, particularly pedestrians crossing at the roundabout. Smaller roundabouts have less offset between approaches, which allows faster speeds and makes it harder for drivers entering the roundabout to find safe gaps in traffic. This can reduce efficiency and increase congestion. The proposed roundabout at Kiahuna Plantation Drive has an inscribed circle diameter of 120 feet, which is already significantly smaller than the existing roundabouts on Ala Kalanikaumaka, including those at Po‘ipū Road and Lāwa‘i Road at 162 feet, and on Kōloa Road at 150 feet. It is also slightly smaller than the roundabouts on Nūhou Street at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and at Keālia Beach, which are both 124 feet in diameter.
The County is confident that the current design best serves the community’s long-term interests by improving safety, accessibility, and multimodal mobility while maintaining as much of the natural landscape as possible. Landscaping plans will further enhance the corridor as construction progresses.
Mahalo for your continued engagement and support as we work together to improve safety and mobility in Po‘ipū.
Sincerely,
Office of the Mayor”
