The Island of Maui seemingly was not part of the original World War II era Hawaii Route System. Circa 1955 the United States Bureau of Public Roads renumbered the Hawaii Route System. The 1955 Hawaii Route Renumbering saw most of the conventions utilized by the current Hawaii State Route System established. Primary Hawaii Routes were given two-digit numbers whereas Secondary Hawaii Routes were given three-digit numbers. The Hawaii Routes were assigned in sequence for what Island/County they were located on coupled with what Federal Aid Program number they were tied to. In the case of the Island of Maui it was assigned numbers in the range of 30-40.
Hawaii Route 31 as originally defined began at Hawaii Route 30 and followed what is now North Kihei Road and South Kihei Road into Kihei. From Kihei the routing of Hawaii Route 31 is unclear and may have had a gap between Makena east towards Hawaii Route 37/Kula Highway. From Hawaii Route 37/Kula Highway the routing of Hawaii Route 31 continued east via Piilani Highway towards Hawaii Route 36 in Hana. Hawaii Route 31 as originally configured can be seen on the 1959 Gousha Map of Hawaii. Hawaii Route 31 is noted to be a secondary highway.
During the 1960s the Hawaii Route system was simplified, and numerous segments of important roadways were adopted from the counties. According hawaiihighways.com North Kihei Road was adopted as State Highway whereas South Kihei Road remained maintained by Maui County. According to hawaiihighways.com North Kihei Road was reassigned as Hawaii Route 310 but remained field signed as Hawaii Route 31.
During 1981 the first segment of the State Maintained Hawaii Route 31 on western Piilani Highway in Kihei opened. During April 1981 Hawaii Route 310 was extended 0.1 miles to reach the new alignment of Hawaii Route 31 in Kihei at western Piilani Highway.
Part 2; a drive on Hawaii Route 310
Eastbound Hawaii Route 310 originates from Hawaii Route 30/Honoapiilani Highway near Maalaea.
Hawaii Route 310 eastbound descends towards the waters of Maalaea Bay. Traffic on Hawaii Route 310 can access Kealia Pond the and Kealia Coastal Boardwalk.
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