Following an in-person meeting on Jan. 23, the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a virtual public hearing on Jan. 28 for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Honoapiilani Highway Improvements Project.

Stretching from Papalaua Beach to Launiupoko, Honoapiilani Highway has been repaired multiple times over the past decade due to damage caused by storms and high wave events. Its close proximity to the ocean makes it vulnerable to coastal hazards such as sea level rise, king tides and storms.

The goal of the proposed project is to provide a reliable transportation facility in West Maui by reducing the highway’s vulnerability to coastal hazards, according to HDOT.

Public comments are invited. An in-person meeting was held on Jan. 23. A virtual meeting will be held 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 for those interested in providing feedback on the Draft EIS.

More information on the Honoapiilani Highway Improvements Project and the Draft EIS, as well as the Zoom link for the virtual meeting are available on the project website.

Comments on the Draft EIS are due by Feb. 24 and can be submitted in three ways: via email at honoapiilanieis@online.wspis.com, through the project website or by regular mail to Ken Tatsuguchi, PE, HDOT Highways Planning Branch, 869 Punchbowl St., Room 301, Honolulu HI 96813.