'A'ali'i is a reporter with KITV. He was born and raised on the island of Maui and graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Journalism.
As state officials welcome input on a proposed highway overpass in South Maui, the area's state representative is urging them to practice "more transparency" throughout the design process.
KIHEI, Hawaii (Island News) -- As state officials welcome input on a proposed highway overpass in South Maui, the area's state representative is urging them to practice "more transparency" throughout the design process.
The $16-million overhead pedestrian crosswalk would bridge the Kihei community makai of the busy, four-lane Pi’ilani Highway with Kulanihako’i High School.
Rep. Terez Amato, who is seeking federal funding for the crossing, disagrees with a proposal to build ramps on each side of the structure and suggested installing elevators instead.
"I'm concerned over the lack of community input on the design because the people of South Maui have a right to be heard and to have their design ideas incorporated, not just simply rubber stamp something that's pre-determined by someone else," Amato argued.
The Department of Education recently filed a draft environmental assessment for the overpass, as well as its reasoning to indicate the project will not have any significant impacts.
The Kihei Community Association told Island News it supports the best practical design that can be constructed as quickly as possible.
"One thing is clear...we have an obligation to create a school crossing that the community can be proud of," Amato added.
The Department of Education responded to Amato's claims over community involvement with the following statement:
"Community input has been integral in determining the pedestrian overpass location and design. Public input was collected in a pedestrian crossing survey in July 2022 and at public Listening Sessions in Kīhei in August 2022. A community open house was held in Sept. 2022 to discuss the survey findings which included over 1,250 responses. The Kūlanihākoʻi High School Grade-Separated Pedestrian Crossing Alternatives Study (Final), which included the community input, was made public in Dec. 2022. Overpass designs, cost estimates and projected timetables were then shared in another public meeting in Oct. 2023...We hope this brief history helps to illustrate the level of public involvement guiding this project forward."
Community members have until Mar. 25 to offer feedback on the department’s assessment. Comments can be submitted via email to khsoverpass@g70.design.
State leaders previously mentioned the earliest the overpass could be completed is December 2025.
'A'ali'i is a reporter with KITV. He was born and raised on the island of Maui and graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Journalism.
