Hawaii Route 56

Infobox road
state=HI
type=HI
route=56
alternate_name=Kuhio Highway
length_mi=28.1
length_round=28
length_ref=
established=
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=
junction=
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=
previous_type=HI
previous_route=51
next_type=HI
next_route=58

Hawaii Route 56 is a twenty-eight mile route stretching from Hawaii Route 50 at the junction of Rice Street in Lihue, Hawaii to the junction of Hawaii Route 560 in Princeville on the island of Kauai. The road is also known as Kuhio Highway, named after named for Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, a former territorial delegate to Congress after Hawaii's annexation by the United States.

Background

The road itself is a major throughfare for the eastern and northern parts of The Garden Isle. Leaving Lihue, the road passes through the only Wal-Mart and the major hospital on the island. The road connects with Hawaii Route 51 to Lihue Airport. Following the intersection the road briefly passes through some rural patches with the occasional resort before crossing the Wailua River. At the Wailua River, there is two lane bridge and also a one lane bridge for northbound travelers. The one lane bridge is only opened on the weekdays to alleviate traffic. However, there are plans to widen the bridge for future traffic needs. [ [http://www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs/newsreleases/2007/03/07-103.htm Public Comment Sought to Widen Wailua Cane Haul Bridge on Kauai] Hawaii DOT Press Release, March 7, 2007] Going through Wailua and Kapaa, Hawaii 56 is jammed in the morning and the afternoon. Contra flow alleviates rush hour traffic in the morning between Kapaa and Lihue Airport. Southbound lane gets two lanes in the morning to alleviate traffic pressures. The traffic pressure dissipates going some of the most senic countryside with few services and buildings from Kapaa heading towards Princeville.

References

External links

* [http://www.hawaiihighways.com/kauai.htm Roads of Kauai]
* [http://www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Kuhio-Hwy.htm Photos of Kuhio Highway]