Hawaii Route 56
Encyclopedia
Route 56, also known as Kuhio Highway, is the main highway on the north and east shore of Kauaii island
.
at the junction of Rice Street in Lihue, Hawaii to the junction of Hawaii Route 560
in Princeville
on the island of Kauaii. 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 Kauaii. 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.
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
.
Route description
Route 56 runs 28 miles (45.1 km), stretching from Hawaii Route 50Hawaii Route 50
Route 50 is a road that stretches from Route 56 at the junction of Rice Street in Lihue to a point approximately 1/5 mile north of the northernmost entrance of the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the western shore of Kauai. It is the longest numbered road on the island of Kauai is named...
at the junction of Rice Street in Lihue, Hawaii to the junction of Hawaii Route 560
Hawaii Route 560
Route 560 or Kaua'i Belt Road-North Shore section, is a ten-mile scenic road on the northern shore of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The entire belt road is signed as the Kuhio Highway and Hawaii Route 56 was once signed on this route before it was downgraded to become Hawaii Route 560...
in Princeville
Princeville, Hawaii
Princeville is a census-designated place on the north shore of the island of Kauai in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,698 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeville is located at ....
on the island of Kauaii. The road is named for Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole
Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole Piikoi was a prince of the reigning House of Kalākaua when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by international businessmen in 1893...
, 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 Kauaii. Leaving Lihue, the road passes through the only Wal-Mart and the major hospital on the island. The road connects with Hawaii Route 51
Hawaii Route 51
Route 51 is a three mile road that stretches from the junction Wapaa Road with Route 58 at the Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue to Route 56 north of Lihue on The Garden Isle.- Route description :...
to Lihue Airport. Following the intersection the road briefly passes through some rural patches with the occasional resort before crossing the Wailua River
Wailua River
The Wailuā River is a river on the island of Kauai in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is formed by the confluence of its North and South forks just west of Wailua and enters the Pacific Ocean at . It is the only navigable river in the Hawaiian Islands...
. 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
Wailua, Hawaii
Wailuā is a census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 2,083 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
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.