Roads in Limbo (RIL) were built or, planned by the State or the Territorial government. They are classified into either existing or paper roads. For decades, the State and County government argued over maintenance responsibility because of limited resources. Typically, existing roads are referred to as “government roads” or “homestead roads.”

On the Island of Hawaiʻi, there are 408.9 miles of Roads in Limbo located island wide; 122.6 miles exist and are recognized as government or homestead roads. There are also 286.3 miles of paper roads; rights of way that are shown on tax maps, but have not yet been built.

The TMK maps to create the Roads in Limbo inventory date back to 1930 and conditions have and are constantly changing. In 2005 a master inventory of the Roads in Limbo was created; click on the below link to view the inventory in map or list form.

Legend for the 2005 maps:

• Green: RIL
• Yellow: State roads
• Blue: County paved roads
• Red: County gravel roads
• Orange: Unknown

In 2010 the RIL were assessed to see how conditions have changed in five years.

The Roads in Limbo information provided are from the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works’ records as of 2005 and are subject to change. The County of Hawaiʻi assumes no responsibility arising from the use of the data.

Viewers/users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the data and agree to indemnify the County of Hawaiʻi from any liability, which may arise from using the data. Agreement with the terms of use shall be implied by use of this information.

At this time, the County is unable to maintain Roads in Limbo.  However, the County has a program that allows the Department of Public Works (DPW) to provide road maintenance materials at DPW's cost to a "requestor" (person or persons requesting enrollment in said program) for the purpose of maintaining existing Roads in Limbo.  The inventoried 122.6 miles of existing Roads in Limbo and any Roads in Limbo determined to provide access to a recreational area are eligible for this program.  The link below contains a folder entitled "Information and Agreement Form", which includes the resolution that created the program, the typical road section for Roads in Limbo, and a Memorandum of Agreement that must be signed by the requestor.  To enroll in this program, the following items are required from the requestor at their cost:

• Environmental Assessment (EA) or EA exemption.
• Survey verifying that the existing physical road is within government right-of-way.
• Signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
• Licensed contractor to place road maintenance material per typical Road in Limbo section.
• Grading Permit as required per Chapter 10 of the Hawaiʻi County Code.

If the above requirements are met, then DPW will provide road maintenance materials to the requestor as available.  For more information on this program, please contact the Department of Public Works Engineering Division at dpweng@hawaiicounty.gov.

• Roads in Limbo Maps and Forms