KAPOLEI, Hawaii -- Officials opened up a new road in Kapolei that civic leaders said will make big impact.

The new extension joins residential and commercial areas in Kapolei. Manawai Street, in front of the library now meets Kama'aha Avenue one block away. The thoroughfare then extends three blocks east to Fort Barrette Road.

"The major impact is we have another way to get through the city of Kapolei. At the moment the only way people can get through is by going in front of the Kapolei shopping center. This provides people the ability to turn and get two different directions," said Donna Goth of Kapolei Property Development.

The $6 million extension is the first of five road projects planned by Kapolei Property Development to improve traffic flow through the area.