Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s Interstate routes were an outgrowth of the statehood movement that culminated on March 18, 1959, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation making Hawaii a State. The decision to designate Interstate routes in Hawaii may become clearer by adding that the Interstate System is more than just a series of connected highways. It is also a design concept, with highways designed to handle high volumes of traffic safely and efficiently at freeway speeds. Moreover, the Interstate System is not limited to routes passing through two or more States. Many Interstates, such as circumferentials/beltways and spurs, are confined to one State. The Interstate System was originally designed during the Cold War to allow for the rapid movement of military troops and equipment in the event of an invasion of the United States. To meet this goal, there are minimum standards of road width, bridge strength and vertical clearances that must be met to get an Interstate designation. In addition
