HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-19_430pmMarch19UpdateDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 19, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
4:30 p.m., March 19, Update: Kūhiō Highway scheduled public access begins Saturday
Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill will open for scheduled public access beginning Saturday, March
20, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT). Due to the scheduled reopening of
Kūhiō Highway, the following updates will remain ongoing until further notice.
Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill: While long-term repairs to the Hanalei Hillside remain ongoing,
HDOT officials have announced the below schedule for public access on Kūhiō Highway at mile marker 1
approaching the Hanalei Bridge.
Saturday, March 20 through Friday, March 26:
• Morning access: 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
• Afternoon access: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day except Wednesdays
• Wednesday afternoon access: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Evening access: 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• (Note, afternoon access was planned around Hanalei School schedule)
Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28:
• 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
During access hours, Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill will be open to single lane, alternating traffic
for passenger cars and light trucks. These vehicles will be escorted through the work zone by a pilot
vehicle.
A detour for heavy trucks (e.g., those with payloads exceeding ¾ ton such as Ford Super Duty F-
350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 or larger) has been established via Ka
Haku Road, Lei O Papa Road, and Hanalei Plantation Road. Heavy trucks will not be allowed at Hanalei
Hill until further notice due to concerns with loads on the highway near the landslide.
On March 29, the contractor will be on a 10-hour workday, six days a week. Public access will
continue to follow the morning, afternoon, and evening schedule posted above. On Sundays, when
there will be no work at the site, access will be from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The public access schedule will ensure safety, efficient single lane alternating movement
through the area, and necessary construction hours for the emergency repairs and long-term
mitigations.
Updates and the public access schedule will be posted on the HDOT’s website
at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/.
Other Current Road Closures:
• The road above the Hanalei Hill landslide, Kūhiō Highway between Kolopua Apartments and
Hanalei Plantation Road, remains closed until the automated GPS monitoring is completed.
• One lane of Kūhiō Highway at mile marker 4.5 near Waikoko is currently open to alternating
traffic.
Kaua‘i Bus Service: Due to the reopening of Kūhiō Highway to public access, the Kaua‘i Bus will
provide a Special Shuttle for Hanalei passengers to access the mainline bus routes starting and ending in
Princeville. There will be no charge to ride the Special Shuttle in and out of Hanalei; however, bus fares
will be collected on all mainline routes beyond Princeville. The Kaua‘i Bus has announced the following
schedule for this Special Shuttle and will provide updates as needed.
Saturday, March 20 to Friday, March 26; and Monday, March 29 until further notice (except
Sundays):
A Special Shuttle at the Princeville Bus Stop with service into Hanalei is scheduled as follows:
• 6:44 a.m.
• 12:44 p.m. (Wednesday only)
• 1:44 p.m. (all days except Wednesday)
• 5:44 p.m.
• 6:44 p.m.
• 7:44 p.m.
• 8:44 p.m.
A Special Shuttle from the Hanalei Neighborhood Center to the Princeville Bus Stop is scheduled
as follows:
• 6:15 a.m.
• 7:15 a.m.
• 1:15 p.m. (Wednesday only)
• 2:15 p.m. (all days except Wednesday)
• 6:15 p.m.
• 7:15 p.m.
• 8:15 p.m.
• 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28; and all subsequent Sundays:
• The Princeville to Hanalei Special Shuttle will follow the normal bus schedule as listed on the
Kaua‘i Bus website, www.kauai.gov/transportation.
• The Hanalei to Princeville Special Shuttle will also follow the normal bus schedule as listed
on the Kaua‘i Bus website, except there will be no bus pick up at 5:15 a.m.
Weather Update: A High Surf Advisory is in effect for all East-facing shores of Kaua‘i through 6
p.m. Sunday. Strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents are expected.
Additionally, a Wind Advisory is in effect for Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
All weather and ocean advisories may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.
For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a
county lifeguard, visit www.hawaiibeachsafety.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For
weather updates, call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 245-6001, or visit the
NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo.
Damage Assessments: The county is continuing to conduct assessments of storm-affected areas
across the island. If your home suffered damages due to the March flooding, please visit
www.kauai.gov/kema and click on the green link “March 2021 Rain Damage/Flood Reporting” to
complete a form. The information you provide will help the County of Kaua‘i understand the scope of
residential damage and its impacts on our community. Damage reports may be used to determine
whether our jurisdiction qualifies for any state and federal assistance. Affected parties will still need to
file claims with their insurance companies for residential damage and personal property loss.
Completion of a damage report does not constitute an application for assistance or relief programs. For
assistance on how to fill out the form, you may call KEMA at 241-1800.
For up-to-date and ongoing information for residents affected by the recent severe weather,
especially those who reside in the isolated North Shore areas, please visit www.kauai.gov and click on
the blue icon “March 2021 Flooding.”
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