Hawaiʻi County Installs Roundabout at Kawili and Manono Streets, Easing Delays

Hawaiʻi County crews installed a roundabout at the intersection of Kawili Street and Manono Street in Hilo on Feb. 17, 2026 as part of the ongoing Kawili Street paving project, the County reported. The design replaces the previous T‑intersection and is intended to improve traffic flow and safety near Hawaii Community College.

Mayor Kimo Alameda framed the change as a direct response to commuter frustration, saying, “We’ve heard how frustrating the long delays at this intersection have been for drivers, especially while trying to turn left toward the community college.” He added, “With this redesign, we can keep traffic moving and reduce wait times.”

Alameda also described the installation as a low‑cost test of a traffic fix, saying, “No cost to the government,” Alameda said. “So, we’re trying them out as we speak.” BIVN reported the mayor discussed roundabouts during his State of the County address and cited those remarks.

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works is the agency tied to the project, and Deputy Director Neil Azevedo was quoted during the mayor’s remarks as saying, “if we just move around lines, this thing can work.” The county’s action was executed as a component of the Kawili Street paving work rather than as a standalone intersection reconstruction.

Officials urged drivers to adapt to the new configuration immediately. Reports advised that “when approaching a roundabout, motorists are advised to slow down, look around, and be ready to yield,” and noted the State Highways website as an additional resource for roundabout guidance. BIVN’s coverage included a photo and a map marked “Photo courtesy the County of Hawaiʻi” and “Map courtesy the County of Hawaiʻi.”

Public reaction appeared quickly on social media after local outlets posted the update. A Facebook share of the Big Island Gazette item showed 4 reactions and 4 comments in the captured thread. Local user Damon Tucker posted, “Well that was fast!!!! Just yesterday... there was no sign of a new roundabout!” Other Facebook commenters wrote that past intersection projects had mixed results, and cited persistent congestion: John Bertram wrote, “Queen K/Kawaihae Rd intersection went about as well. Millions spent only to return it to its previous state because Island high school educations can't make million dollar engineering changes.” Willie Ah Yo noted traffic impacts near campus, writing, “The traffic on E. Laikaula was ridiculous. Took the side street by HCC to go to Kawili St and the traffic was bad Manono St side.” Bobby Command posted, “Looks too small to be effective,” and Cathy Branco said, “Maybe they should be just as fast and take that crap down.”

The county characterized the roundabout as an in‑place solution tied to paving work and emphasized driver caution at the new configuration near Hawaii Community College. Officials and the Department of Public Works have presented the measure as an on‑the‑ground trial intended to keep traffic moving and reduce wait times.