On every island since 1970, the ratio of roads to population declined. Maui and Big Island’s ratio of roads to population dropped by more than 50%. And while Oahu’s ratio seems miniscule in comparison, the problem is Oahu’s 1.8 ratio of roads to population is the lowest among all islands statewide (compared to 7 miles/ 1000 population on Kauai, 4.8 on Maui, 10 on Big Island).

1970 – 2000 POPULATION: ROADS, HIGHWAYS including unpaved roads

STATEWIDE: Population increased 57% (769.9 to 1211.5 = 441,600)
Roads, Highways increased 19% (3584.7 to 4256.1 = 676.4 miles)
4.7mi/1000 population to 3.5mi/1000 population

KAUAI: Population increased 110% (27.9k to 58.5k)
Road/highway miles increased 28% (320.51m to 412.41m)
11.5mi/1000 pop to 7mi/1000 pop

MAUI: Population increased 231% (38.7k to 128.2k)
Road/highway miles increased 19% (519.92m to 620.08m)
13.3mi/1000 pop to 4.8mi/1000 pop

HAWAII: Population increased 134% (63.5k to 148.7k)
Road/highway miles increased 8% (1380.3m to 1493.7m)
21.6mi/1000 pop to 10.0mi/1000 pop

OAHU: Population increased 39% (630.5k to 876.2k)
Road/highways increased 28% (1212.2m to 1547.6m)
1.9mi/1000pop to 1.8mi/1000 pop

Source: Hawaii State Data Book – Roads & Populations