Roundabout Circling Record Targeted by Maui Man with Maui Lani Attempt

A Kahului man intent on getting his hometown “on the map” plans to drive his Toyota Tacoma on a Maui roundabout for more than 4 straight hours, in an attempt to top the world record for roundabout circling set earlier this year by a visitor in Kihei.

Todd Hoʻopunipuni said because the initial roundabout circling record ~ set by Karen Johnson of Portland, Ore. back in February ~ was established on island, he wanted to ensure a local gets credit for it in the Guinness World Records.

“We have roundabouts now on Maui, and a ginormous new one being built in Kihei right now, yet the world record was set by someone visiting,” Hoʻopunipuni said. “That ain’t right. I’m going to drive in a circle for 4 hours and 1 minute to bring the record home where it belongs.”

Hoʻopunipuni plans to make his attempt at the Maui Lani roundabout, because Johnson’s record was set on the roundabout in Kihei near Piilani Village Shopping Center.

“I think the Maui Lani traffic circle is smaller and will have less distracting views than the one up the hill a little there in Kihei,” he said. “In Kihei, you might peek at the ocean now and then and want to go for a dip. Or see the Round Table Pizza sign and get hungry for a slice of pie. I don’t want to see anything but landscaping and backyard fencing.

“Plus, I grew up in Kahului and it always seems we get ignored by everyone, the news, visitors who come only to visit Costco or Walmart. I can put Kahului on the map!”

Last February, Johnson found herself stuck on the Kihei roundabout and unable to exit due to fears of traffic entering and exiting. After 4 panicked hours, her car ran out of gasoline and finally rolled to a stop. She was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment for extreme dehydration.

Because the event was reported in Maui Insight, officials from Guinness World Records became aware and added her impressive circling to the long list of records.

Hoʻopunipuni is taking no chances, bringing with a him a trained crew much like a pit crew in professional road racing. Except there will be no pit stops.

“It will be like those dudes in the Tour de France, handing me a cup of water or Gatorade as I slowly roll by,” he said. “And we designed this tube thingy that goes down my leg to a cup strapped to my ankle, so I don’t have to stop if I have to urinate.

“We haven’t figured out what to do if I have to go No. 2, though. Guess we’ll pray that I can hold it in. I've been avoiding fiber in all meals.”

Hoʻopunipuni says he plans to make the attempt sometime in August, but won't advertise the date in advance for fear of big crowds, coverage by ESPN 8, or even a visit from the Maui Police Department.