South end: Route 50 in Lihue | Length 45.2 km | |
North end: Route 560 in Princeville | ||
Route 56, also known as Kuhio Highway, is the main highway on the north and east shore of Kauaiʻi island.
Contents
Map of HI-56, Hawaii, USA
Route description
Route 56 runs 28 miles (45 km), 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 Kauaiʻi. The road is named for Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, a territorial delegate to Congress after Hawaii's annexation by the United States.
The road is a major thoroughfare for the eastern and northern parts of Kauaiʻi. 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. 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. The southbound lane gets two lanes in the morning to alleviate traffic pressures. The traffic pressure dissipates going through some of the most scenic countryside with few services and buildings from Kapaa heading towards Princeville.
Major intersections
The entire route is in Kauai County.