HONOLULU (HI Now) - For residents on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast, Farrington Highway is often the only way in or out — and that single point of access creates real risk during emergencies. HI Now Daily sits down with Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen to talk about Kolekole Pass and what a new collaboration between the State of Hawaiʻi, the U.S. Army, and community partners means for emergency preparedness. During last summer’s tsunami warning, nearly 500 vehicles used the pass to evacuate — a moment that underscored just how critical a secondary route can be. Director Sniffen breaks down what makes this agreement different from past openings, what it took to get everyone to the table, and what an estimated $20 million in future improvements could mean for the route’s long-term reliability. It’s a conversation about infrastructure, partnership, and building a more resilient Hawaiʻi.
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