A new 35-foot electric bus was parked on the side of Hoolako Road on Thursday when the county, project partners and community members broke ground on the Kauai Bus Baseyard Expansion Project that is located across Hoolako Road from the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields.
The electric bus, part of a fleet that just arrived on Kauai, is too big to have its own garage. The Kauai Bus Baseyard Expansion Project will address that problem, and more.
“This project represents our continued investment in a cleaner, more efficient public transportation system for our island,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a press release. “As The Kauai Bus incorporates electric vehicles, these new facilities will help ensure our fleet operates safely, reliably and sustainably for years to come. Mahalo to all our partners who helped make this project a reality.”
The $6.4 million project, funded through County Capital Improvements Project funds and a Federal Transit Administration grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation, will significantly improve The Kauai Bus’s operational capacity, maintenance efficiency and readiness for the island’s growing electric bus fleet.
Construction is expected to start later this year with completion anticipated in late 2026.
“This expansion strengthens our foundation for the future of public transportation on Kauai,” said Executive on Transportation Celia Mahikoa. “It not only supports our transition to electric buses, but also enhances safety and efficiency for our hardworking team that keeps The Kauai Bus running every day.”
The expansion will add three new, deeper maintenance bays to the existing three bays, allowing mechanics to service The Kauai Bus’s new 35-foot battery electric buses. The project also includes two new power block chargers with four dispensers, providing essential charging infrastructure for the county’s growing electric fleet.
Additional improvements will include improvements to employee parking along the shoulder of Hoolako Street, and the creation of 10 relocated bus stalls to offset spaces displaced by the new maintenance bays.
The project team included Marc Ventura, architect with project design and construction observation; Bill Bow with engineering support; PBR Hawaii, led by Kim Yuen with community outreach and environmental assessment; and Shioi Construction as the project’s general contractor.
Partners recognized during the blessing include the Federal Transit Administration, the Hawaii Department of Transportation and its Planning Office led by Director Ed Sniffin, the county’s Office of the Mayor, Department of Finance, Office of the County Attorney, Planning Department, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Public Works.
Source: The Garden Island
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