This scenic winding road boasts grand views of Diamond Head, access to hikes and a long training hill for cyclists on O‘ahu, all without leaving Honolulu. Unfortunately, sections of Tantalus Road and Round Top Drive are falling apart.

It’s made an already challenging drive even sketchier, particularly for those on two wheels. Driving up Tantalus, there are long stretches of steep switchbacks quilted with asphalt patches that create a mosaic of uneven ground.

The tree canopy’s shadows compound the problem. Local cyclist Gus Sinnis said the light can play tricks on you, making it near impossible to tell what is a pothole and what isn’t. This can become dangerous riding down the hill at high speeds, impeding what is usually the payoff for a hard uphill climb.

The Honolulu Department of Design and Construction has several plans in the works to improve the conditions of some sections of the road, but officials say the bidding process for the first phase is not expected to happen until the end of 2026.

Who’s Responsible?

These road issues fall under multiple Honolulu departments, including: Department of Design and Construction and its director, Haku Milles, whose office number is (808) 768-8480; and the Department of Facilities Maintenance and its director, Gene Albano, whose office number is (808) 768-3343. General road issues can be reported to the city by calling 311 or emailing roads@honolulu.gov.

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Fix It!

Fix It! is a reader-driven column focused on solving everyday obstacles — the inoperable and the inefficient amenity, the mundane and major facility fail that escapes the attention of government agencies, but affects our quality of life.

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