New Art Program Mulled for Traffic Roundabouts on Maui

Maui officials are contemplating a new program to have huge works of art installed in the many traffic roundabouts on island.

The concept comes from Bend, Ore., where a nonprofit organization formed in 1967 helped initiate a citywide tour of artistic pieces throughout the central Oregon community.

“With the tremendous growth in popularity of our roundabouts, we have received suggestions to beautify and celebrate the traffic circles even more,” said Grover Ohea, director of strategic planning for the Maui office of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. “We thought of somehow weaving together a concept of a Roundabout Art Route that we can market for locals and visitors alike.”

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The Bend roundabout art program recently received national attention when locals there began modifying big pieces of art with big ol’ googly eyes. The googly eyes provide passersby a chuckle, and kind of brought to life some of the more mundane pieces, like a big ball of metal, local residents said.

“I like the big ol’ googly eyes,” said longtime Bend resident Gabe Ring. “Things can get awfully boring here in Bend, and the roundabout art alone doesn’t contribute much. But add those big ol’ googly eyes, and, holy moly! Now we can have a few laughs while getting around town.”

Others were not so impressed and complained to the city, which reported a cost to constantly removing the googly eyes. The conflict recently attracted the attention of regional and national media outlets.

On Maui, it is undetermined how many large art pieces will be needed. Currently, there are three roundabouts large enough to host artwork: the big new multi-lane roundabout in Kihei on the highway right in front of a new high school; and smaller neighborhood traffic circles in Kihei at Piilani Center on Liloa Drive; and at Kamehameha Avenue and Maui Lani Parkway in south Kahului.

The new Kahaluu Roundabout, at the intersection of Kahekili Highway/Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) and the city-owned portion of Kamehameha Highway (Route 830) in Kahului, southwest of Kahaluu Pond, is anticipated for opening in March 2025.

Historically this intersection has been an all-way stop, but in September was configured into a roundabout format to help with construction activities for the new big traffic circle.

Two more roundabouts are planned for Maui in the future, on the Liloa Drive extension project in Kihei not far from the Piilani Shopping Center roundabout.

About two years ago, the DOT sought the public’s assistance in identifying the next roundabouts on Maui. The top choice is in front of the Barmuda Triangle in central Kihei, where a traffic circle could somehow accommodate all the bar hoppers with visitors to the huge Kalama Park across the street.

Other locations being considered for roundabouts include Paia, downtown Wailuku, Little Beach in Makena, and the Lahaina bypass road. Ruled out already were proposed traffic circles in Hana and atop Haleakala. “While some people suggested these wonderful locations for roundabouts, we also received a lot of complaints from locals who in no uncertain terms told us roundabouts just weren’t happening there,” Ohea said.

Bend has dozens of art installations on dozens of roundabout centers, made by creators from around the world. The Bend government is assisted in the project by the nonprofit organization Art in Public Places.

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On Maui, the roundabouts have become so famous, video game giant Nintendo has been working on its new Mario Kart: Kihei Roundabouts game since last year.

Maui County’s preference at the moment, Ohea said, is to limit Maui roundabout art pieces to those created by locals. Mayor Richard Bissen says he is hopeful for the Maui roundabout art concept, though he has concerns that such new pieces may be modified by the local population.

“Who knows where Maui locals might stick googly eyes,” Bissen said, “but there are some solid ideas about it.”