- Hawaii Route 61
Infobox road
state=HI
type=HI
route=61
alternate_name=
length_mi=10.8
length_round=
length_ref=
established=early 1950s
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=
junction=
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=Kailua
previous_type=
previous_route=
next_type=
next_route=Route 61 is the main highway connecting downtown
Honolulu ,Hawaii with windwardO‘ahu . From downtown, it traverses up Nu‘uanu Valley and the residential neighborhood of Nu‘uanu, passes through theNu‘uanu Pali Tunnels , and descends to the major windward communities of Kāne‘ohe (reached byKamehameha Highway , State Route 83) and Kailua.The current Pali Highway is actually the third roadway to be built here. The original Pali "highway" went along much of the same route and portions of the old road still exist, although closed to vehicular traffic. When the current Pali Highway and its tunnels opened, the original roadway was closed and is now used by hikers. The
Old Pali Highway , as it is now called, is noted in the popular culture of Hawai‘i for being a place with strong spiritual connections. Many "ghost stories" have settings along this old highway.Names of State Route 61
*
Pali Highway (from downtown Honolulu to Castle Junction near Maunawili)
* Kalaniana‘ole Highway (from Castle Junction to Castle Medical Center in Kailua
* Kailua Road (from Castle Medical Center to central Kailua)Communities served
*
Honolulu
* Maunawili
* KailuaIntersections with other highways
*
Kamehameha Highway at Castle Junction near Maunawili
* Kalaniana‘ole Highway at Castle Medical Center in Kailuaee also
*
List of Hawaii state highways
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.