State Disaster Declaration Extended to Maui County

PC: Hawaii Department of Transportation

On behalf of Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Josh Green issued a supplemental emergency proclamation declaring not only the Pali Highway a disaster area on Oʻahu, but also part of Maui County due to rockfall hazards on the Honoapi‘ilani Highway past Kapalua.

Maui’s Honoapi‘ilani Highway (Route 30) sustained extensive damage from recent heavy rains and rockfalls at Honokōhau Valley (Mile Marker 36.5) and the Nākālele Point Light Station (Mile Marker 41). Crews are currently working to mitigate hazards at 10 locations on the highway between Camp Maluia and DT Fleming Beach.

Several landslides on Oʻahu’s Pali Highway created hazardous conditions and resulted in full and partial closures during response.  The area was declared a disaster on Feb. 22.

The supplemental emergency proclamation authorizes the expenditure of state funds as appropriated for the quick and efficient relief of extensive damage to the Pali Highway and to a portion of Honoapi‘ilani Highway. It also gives the governor certain powers that allow him to expedite emergency management functions which include protecting the health, safety and welfare of Hawai‘i’s residents and visitors.

The disaster relief period expires on April 22, 2019.

Gov. Ige is traveling back to Honolulu on Tuesday, after attending the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Lt. Gov. Josh Green is serving as acting governor.