HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR_2022-01-25Jan25updateonMenehuneRoadclosure.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2022
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
TROY TANIGAWA, ACTING COUNTY ENGINEER
(808) 241-4993
Jan. 25 update on Waimea Valley Rockslide
WAIMEA – Officials are announcing the following updates for the Waimea community affected
by the rockslide that occurred on Menehune Road on Jan. 4. The next update is expected to be
announced on Friday, Jan. 28.
While on Kaua‘i, officials from the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency accompanied by
KEMA Administer Elton Ushio visited the rockslide site on Menehune Road, Tuesday morning.
“The county made tremendous progress in the stabilization of the rockslide,” said Luke P.
Meyers, HI-EMA Administrator. “The community was tested and proved to be invaluably resilient.”
Road Closure and Slope Stabilization
HiTech Rockfall Construction completed rock scaling work on the slope above Menehune Road
on Monday, and began demobilization on Tuesday.
As HiTech demobilizes from the site this week, the County of Kaua‘i’s Public Works Roads
Division is inspecting the condition of Menehune Road and will begin installing traffic safety measures,
including the placement of barriers along the riverside embankment.
Due to the completion of rock scaling work, Menehune Road reopened to all traffic on Tuesday,
Jan. 25. However, officials advise that ongoing temporary road closures may still be necessary for the
next few weeks, as continuous work on the slope is needed.
Upcoming work on the slope includes the installation of erosion control measures, which will be
conducted by Geolabs – the county’s contracted geotechnical engineering firm – along with HiTech. This
work is currently scheduled for Monday, Jan. 31, and will require a full closure of Menehune Road for at
least one day. More details on this road closure will be announced in the coming days.
Waimea Swinging Bridge
With the reopening of Menehune Road, the County can now begin further damage assessments
of the Waimea Swinging Bridge. Next week, crews will conduct additional safety measures to further
stabilize the bridge before temporary repairs begin. Temporary repairs will start soon after to restore
pedestrian access until permanent repairs commence. More details, along with a timeline on these
repairs, will be shared once a schedule is confirmed.
Given the historic nature of the bridge, officials expect this to be a long-term repair project.
Understanding that the pedestrian bridge is an important point of access to Makaweli residents, officials
will continue to work with residents on continued needs. Makaweli residents requiring assistance are
urged to contact the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) at 808-241-1800.
Refuse Service
The next refuse collection is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 1. Residents are asked to
leave their bagged trash in their refuse carts on Monday, Jan. 31, for early-morning pickup on Tuesday.
To ensure efficient pickup, please double bag your household trash and place it in your county-
issued refuse carts. For those without refuse carts, please leave your bagged household waste in a
covered trash receptacle at the side of the road immediately adjacent to your driveway. Trash should be
double-bagged in the event manual loading into a truck becomes necessary. Trash receptacles must not
exceed 50 pounds, and more than one covered receptacle may be used. Bulky items, green waste, and
loose trash will not be collected at this time.
Food Distribution/Wellness Checks/Needs Assessments
Families are reporting that they have food and supplies for the time being. Supply deliveries will
occur, however, on a case-by-case basis.
Wellness checks and needs assessments will continue as needed for residents along Menehune
Road and on the Makaweli-side of the river. Anyone needing assistance is asked to call KEMA at 808-
241-1800, who will coordinate with community partners.
Panini Road Emergency Access Route
The State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) alternate emergency access route
from Waimea Canyon Drive, known as Panini Road, will remain open to local residents and first
responders via 4 x 4 usage only. Motorists are urged to drive slowly and cautiously through the area.
Additional Assistance
If anyone in the affected area requires assistance during work hours, please call the Kaua‘i
Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) at 808-241-1800. After working hours, please call Kaua‘i Police
Dispatch at 808-241-1711. If you have an emergency and require immediate assistance, please call 911.
If you have a kupuna needing assistance from the Agency on Elderly Affairs, please contact their office at
808-241-4470. If you have a school-aged child who needs assistance with distance learning options,
please contact KEMA at 808-241-1800.
Those wishing to provide services or resources are asked to coordinate with KEMA.
The next update is expected to be announced on Friday, Jan. 28, via news release and online
newsletter available on the “Waimea Valley Rockslide” page at www.kauai.gov/KEMA.
Above photo: HI-EMA Administrator Luke P. Meyers and HI-EMA Public Relations Specialist Hollie Reina
speak to county official Nancy McMahon while visiting Menehune Road on Tuesday.
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