is the drive from Leilani to Hilo really that awful? (Kilauea: to rent, house)

[ashten]

Aloha! My husband and I are moving to the Big Island the beginning of May. He begins work there at the end of May. We are all prepared, the dogs have completed their quarantine. The only thing left to decide upon is where to rent. We are very interested in Leilani Estates, but we have heard it is just too far of a drive from Leilani to Hilo. We will both be working in Leilani.

What time does rush hour begin in the morning and evening? Can you avoid it by leaving at 6am?

We live in DFW and drive about 18 miles each way, and it takes about 45 minutes. We are very used to traffic. I know it will be different, because here it is just sitting parked on the highway, whereas there it is dealing with small roads and too many people.

My question is, is this really a bad idea? We will both be driving to Hilo 5 days a week, but we might be able to ride together.

And what other subdivisions might be better? We love the larger lots and the safe feeling. We have found a very nice home to rent here, and want to try it out before considering owning here.

Any advice is truly appreciated.

By the way, we are alos ok with higher elevation. Feeling safe is our main concern. And we don't want to be on a tiny lot.

[sevenofsix]

I googled it and it says high risk of lava flow

[ashten]

we are ok with lava zone 1-- we would be renting at first.

[cynmkolohe]

I wish I could speak from first-hand experience and provide more information, but I live in Hilo and when I face the traffic on that road, it is usually when I am going out that way in the after-school/evening "rush hour" traffic. The merge from two lanes to one going toward Pahoa (just before the Humane Society) is where I always notice the bottle neck.

I can say that when I have to be in Hilo town in the morning, I try to leave early enough to miss the school traffic--that can make a big difference for me since I pass at least three schools/school complexes on my way in to my office. Or, when I worked on the other side of town, I did what would seem counter-intuitive at first glance....rather than driving straight down Kilauea Ave, which is near my house, I would drive up the hill and use Komohana to drive to the other side of Hilo and then go down Wainuenue. That always seemed to be a much easier drive.

Hopefully some Leilani residents can give you a better idea of what your commute would be like in the mornings!

[leilaniguy]

I don't commute regularly, but have been driving into Hilo for jury duty. (Been selected 3 times since 2005, how can I be so lucky?) Anyway, I leave Leilani at 7:45, arrive at State bldg. on Aupuni St. about 8:25. Traffic running smoothly, slowing down near Puainako town center. Traffic going home afternoons (3:30) has been slower like cynmkolohe says, everybody jostling for position at the Keaau bottleneck, then stop-and-go as people turn left at the 4 entrance roads to Paradise Park. Once you pass Ainaloa Blvd. it's easy.

[ashten]

Aloha!

Thank you all for your responses. It sounds like it won't be far off from what we are used to-- but at least the scenery will be nicer than just pavement and strip malls.

We still don't know what to do-- the house we are looking at sure seems like a good rental. I guess we have to decide what is more important to us.

Any further advice is still appreciated

[109*]

the drive would take about 45 mins at rush hour and about 20-25 min during the day. rush hour is from about 6:30-8:00am and 3:00-5:00pm. hawaiian paradise park has 1 acre lots and its a nicer subdivison a little closer to hilo. but it might be a little more expensive.