Mayor Richard Bissen announced on Apr. 22 a temporary halt to the design and construction of new speed tables, speed humps, and similar traffic-calming devices on County of Maui roads in Haʻikū. The decision comes after residents voiced concerns about the impact of recently installed devices in their neighborhoods.
The move is significant because it addresses growing feedback from Haʻikū residents who have experienced challenges following the installation of 31 speed humps and tables as part of a project approved by the previous administration and council for Fiscal Year 2022. While these measures were intended to improve roadway safety, some community members say they have created unintended difficulties.
Bissen said he has met with residents to understand their experiences and that county officials will attend the May 27 Haʻikū Community Association meeting to continue discussions about future steps regarding traffic-calming measures. “We appreciate the Haʻikū community for bringing these concerns forward and sharing their experiences with us,” Bissen said. “While the intent of these traffic-calming measures was to improve safety, we recognize that the recent installations have also created challenges for some residents. This is exactly why it’s important that we listen, reassess and adjust when needed. Although this project was approved prior to our administration, our responsibility is to respond to the impacts we are seeing today and ensure our approach to road safety reflects the needs of our communities.”
In addition to Haʻikū, other areas affected by similar projects include Kahului (three speed humps), Kīhei (one), Wailuku (five), Kahana (three), Nāpili (two), Kula (six), and ʻUlupalakua (four). Typically, requests for such devices come from residents concerned about speeding; following these requests, Department of Public Works staff install temporary traffic-counting equipment before determining whether permanent solutions are necessary.
During this pause in new installations, Maui County plans to reevaluate its current practices around traffic calming based on community feedback. Officials aim to find an approach that better meets local needs while maintaining roadway safety across Maui County.
