Hawaii Unveils $360 Million Active Transport Plan, Kauai Meeting Scheduled

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announced on Nov. 9, 2025 the Priority Multimodal Network, a statewide plan that identifies 113 projects including shared use paths, protected bike lanes, sidewalks and transit facility improvements. The initiative carries roughly 360 million dollars in planned investment over the next decade, with 170 million dollars allocated for projects slated 2025 to 2029 and 190 million dollars for 2030 to 2034.

HDOT scheduled four virtual community meetings, one per county, to present the plan and gather public input. Kauai County's virtual meeting was listed for Nov. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The agency provided guidance for public comment and posted project maps on its website so residents can review proposed corridors and specific proposals affecting their communities.

The Priority Multimodal Network is intended to fill gaps in the state highway system where safe walking, rolling and bicycling connections are missing or inconsistent. For many Kauai residents the plan could shape daily travel options between neighborhoods, schools and business centers, offering alternatives to single occupant vehicle trips and addressing long standing safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists along busy corridors.

Although the statewide program lists projects across all islands, the planning and public input process will determine which specific improvements move forward on Kauai during the initial funding period. The staged funding allocation gives local leaders and residents a clearer timeline for when smaller scale interventions and larger facility changes may be implemented. The plan also highlights transit facility improvements that could affect how island bus services connect with new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Beyond practical mobility, the network ties into broader priorities such as community resilience and visitor experience. Multimodal routes can improve access to key services during emergencies, provide safer routes for students and workers, and support a transportation system more aligned with Hawaii's environmental and quality of life goals. The plan also reflects wider international trends toward shifting public investment into safer, lower carbon travel options.

HDOT's public materials include online maps and instructions for submitting comments, and the scheduled virtual sessions are the primary opportunity for residents to ask questions and register preferences before project selection and design advance. Local officials, community groups and residents will play a critical role in shaping which projects proceed and how they are designed to respect Kauai's cultural and environmental context.

As the Priority Multimodal Network moves from planning to implementation over the coming decade, Kauai County faces decisions about where to concentrate improvements to maximize safety, access and community benefit. The upcoming virtual meeting and HDOT's online resources offer the earliest chance for residents to help influence those decisions.