Honolulu – Hawaiʻi residents will have multiple opportunities in March to weigh in on the future of transportation across the state, as the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) updates its Statewide Long-Range Land Transportation Plan. The plan, which will guide transportation decisions through 2045, aims to address current and future needs, including congestion, safety, sea-level rise, erosion, and evolving travel patterns.
This isn’t simply a highway plan. HDOT is seeking input on all modes of transportation – from freight and personal vehicles to public transit, bicycles, and pedestrian infrastructure. The goal is to create a roadmap for a resilient and reliable transportation system that meets the diverse needs of the islands’ communities. The current update builds upon feedback gathered during public meetings held in March 2025, where initial goals and objectives were shared.
The upcoming public meetings will focus on sharing the results of surveys conducted last year, as well as outcomes from scenario planning, financial forecasts, and proposed funding strategies. According to HDOT, the plan will help guide decisions about which projects to fund and how to ensure critical routes remain safe for decades to come. The process is particularly crucial given the unique challenges facing Hawaiʻi, including its island geography and vulnerability to climate change.
Public Input Opportunities
HDOT is hosting a series of virtual public meetings to gather feedback. The first meetings are scheduled for next week, beginning with a statewide overview on Tuesday, March 10th. Two sessions will be held that day via Microsoft Teams: an afternoon meeting from 12 p.m. To 1 p.m., and an evening meeting from 6 p.m. To 7 p.m. Registration is required for both sessions. You can register for the afternoon meeting here and the evening meeting here.
Island-Specific Plans
Following the statewide meeting, HDOT will focus on island-specific plans. A virtual meeting dedicated to Kauaʻi’s Long-Range Land Transportation Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th, also via Microsoft Teams. Details regarding specific times and registration for the Kauaʻi meeting were not immediately available, but will be released by HDOT.
A similar meeting will be held for Hawaiʻi Island on Wednesday, March 12th, also via Microsoft Teams. Specific times and registration details for the Hawaiʻi Island meeting were not immediately available.
Accessing Information Online
For those unable to attend the virtual meetings, HDOT has provided a project website where more information is available, and meeting recordings will be posted. The website, accessible here, offers a comprehensive overview of the Statewide and Regional Long-Range Land Transportation Plans.
HDOT is also committed to accessibility. Individuals requiring language interpretation, auxiliary aids, or special services – such as sign language or materials in alternate formats – are encouraged to contact the HDOT Public Affairs Office prior to the meeting date to allow sufficient time for accommodations. The Public Affairs Office can be reached by phone at 808-587-2160 or by email at [email protected].
The HDOT is actively seeking public input as it develops a long-term vision for transportation in Hawaiʻi. The next step in the process will be the analysis of feedback received during these public meetings, which will inform the finalization of the Statewide Long-Range Land Transportation Plan. Residents are encouraged to participate in the process and share their thoughts on how to best address the state’s evolving transportation needs.
Share your thoughts on the future of transportation in Hawaiʻi and help shape the plan that will guide the state’s infrastructure for years to come.
