In April 2018, built environment advocates identified an opportunity for Blue Zones Project - Central Maui to champion the advocacy and education around the proposed Maui Lani Roundabout through the Maui County budget process, which was ending in June 2018. There was a lack of understanding about the safety and efficiency of roundabouts among the Maui County Council and the general public. Roundabouts provide substantial safety and operational benefits compared to other intersection types, most notably a reduction in severe crashes.

Grand opening of the Maui Lani roundabout

Central Maui jumped in to plan, coordinate, and execute a public awareness and advocacy campaign to fund the Maui Lani Roundabout. The combination of community engagement and advocacy was key in educating the public, building support, securing votes on the Maui County Council, and getting the project funded.

Maui Lani roundabout blessing 

In April 2018, the community came together for a sign-waving event that attracted over 50 people including teachers and students from a nearby elementary school and residents who travel through the intersection daily. Central Maui launched a social media campaign with videos from subject matter experts Dan Burden, Tony Hull, the Maui County fire chief, and a parent whose children were nearly hit at the intersection. Informational flyers asked residents to write letters of support for the project and several gave compelling personal testimony in support of the project to the Maui County Council. Local media included the Maui Lani roundabout in coverage of the budget process which allowed Central Maui the opportunity to comment and provide facts in support of the project. Central Maui monitored local social media pages on the topic, often offering facts and clarification about roundabouts in general and the Maui Lani Roundabout specifically. In the end, the Maui County Council approved the project by allocating $3.4 million for the project.

Maui Lani sign-waving event in April 2018

General Contractor Goodfellow Brothers broke ground in April 2020 and completed the project 3 months early. On July 28, 2020, Mayor Michael Victorino, the Maui County Council, County department chiefs, and community representatives from Pōmaikaʻi Elementary, HEAL, Blue Zones Project, Maui MPO, and Maui Lani Homeowners Association gathered for the opening of the roundabout. It marked an important step in prioritizing complete street principles in Maui county and creating safer active transportation options for central Maui residents.

Traffic continuously flows through the intersection in a counter-clockwise direction. The roundabout replaces a four-way stop, often congested during school opening and ending and end of work times. Graphic from County of Maui.

Five Easy Rules to remember about using a roundabout:

1. Slow down when approaching and entering a roundabout.
2. Yield to vehicles already in a roundabout and to anyone in the crosswalk.
3. Use your turn signal immediately before your exit, just as you would when turning.
4. Go right when entering a roundabout and proceed around the central island in a counter-clockwise direction.
5. Miss your exit? Just go around one more time.