12-10-2015, 05:35 AM
Yesterday was my second try at getting to Pahoa from HPP since the detour started. I left home at 4 pm, thinking they'd be done with the road work for the day. Not! Almost immediately after I got on the Hwy, before 8 mile marker, traffic was at a standstill. I made my way at 0-5 mph. An hour later I arrived at the stoplight in Pahoa, where I spent another several minutes waiting for the light to change. Things seemed pretty much normal in Pahoa and the trip home was a breeze, but cars were still backed up to the Maku'u Farmers Market coming from Hilo at 6 pm! What used to be a 10 minute drive now takes nearly an hour. I have to sympathize with the tired commuters coming home from work who have to now deal with gridlock in Puna. What great mind came up with this detour? Something needs to be done to remedy this situation or we will just have to go to Hilo or Kea'au to shop for the next 6 months. It's faster.