Fewer Trips, Better Flow, Less Traffic

Instead of just planning streets for cars, Olowalu Town is designed to provide many modes of transportation for people including walking, biking, mass transit, and automobiles.

These different modes of transport­ation address movement within the neighbor­hood (circulation), between neighborhoods (connectivity), and to different parts of the island (regional transportation).

Connectivity
Olowalu Town is designed with inter­connected streets that include trees and sidewalks that slow down automobiles and encourage walking and biking. This well-connected network of narrow streets provides better mobility and is safer and more efficient than a poorly-connected network of wide streets. Olowalu Town's neighborhood block system shortens travel routes and encourages alternatives to automobiles.

Planning for neighborhood stores, parks, community centers, and educa­tional facilities within walking distance of neighborhoods will reduce the number of automobile vehicular trips and encourage the casual meeting of residents that form the bonds of a community.

Circulation
Internal roadway systems connecting Olowalu's neighborhoods will provide additional ways to move people throughout the community. The monkeypod-lined portion of the existing Honoapi‘ilani Highway will be preserved and utilized as a lower volume connector road between the Olowalu neighborhoods. In the case of an emergency on Honoapi‘ilani Highway, this thoroughfare could be used to route highway traffic through Olowalu. Bike and walking paths will also serve as another connection between neighborhoods and allow people easy access to beach parks, shops, and homes.

Regional Transportation
Olowalu Town will also greatly improve regional transportation. The construction of the Olowalu portion of the relocated Honoapi‘ilani Highway in conjunction with the first phase of Olowalu Town will greatly improve regional transportation to West Maui. Additionally, Olowalu Town residents will have safe and easy access to necessary regional transportation. The highway corridor is designed to conveniently accommodate mass transit alternatives when available. Olowalu transit stops have been designed to be within walking distance of the neighborhoods to increase personal travel choices and reduce reliance on the automobile.

Reducing Car Dependency

The Olowalu walkable community is designed to reduce overall traffic and congestion by reducing the number of times people use their car, and reducing the average distance traveled in the car.