Transportation updates on infrastructure for highways, harbors and airports following Hurricane Lowell

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reporting progress to restore transportation infrastructure following the impacts of Hurricane Lowell.

Kauaʻi transportation impacts

On Kaua‘i crews cleared Kaumuali‘i Highway between Lῑhu‘e and Kekaha. Additional crews and contractors worked their way toward Hanalei, clearing fallen trees at Kalihiwai and Kῑlauea bridges. The only remaining closure restricting access to homes is on Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) at Hanalei Bridge. The highway is closed here due to fallen poles and is the priority for restoration.

Kaua‘i crews will also work through Friday, Sept. 11 to clear debris from under the mauka Wailua River Bridge. This will require the closure of the mauka bridge. The makai bridge will be contraflowed to maintain traffic in both directions.

The Kūhiō Highway southbound AM contraflow through the Wailua corridor will not run Wednesday through Friday. An update will be provided Friday on the status of the contraflow on Saturday, Sept. 12.

State roads in Maui County

Honoapi‘ilani Highway in Ukumehame was reopened around 9 a.m. today. A 200-foot section of the shoulder of North Kῑhei Road near the junction with South Kῑhei Road was washed out and repairs have begun. The northbound lane at the shoulder washout will remain closed throughout the repairs, which are estimated to be complete by this weekend.

O‘ahu transportation impacts

On O‘ahu, all lanes of Farrington Highway at Hakimo Road and between Lualualei Naval Road and Helelua Street were reopened at 6:30 p.m. thanks to assistance from City and County of Honolulu crews. O‘ahu special use lanes including the Nānākuli contraflow will operate normally for the remainder of the week.

Harbors:

Nāwiliwili Harbor and Kalaeloa Barbers Point were reopened by the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port before 5 p.m. today. Honolulu Harbor, Kaumālapa‘u on Lāna‘i and Port Allen remain closed. Investigations for options to open part of Honolulu Harbor to vessels with capacity greater than 200 gross tons are continuing. Port officials expect  conditions for full restoration of the buoys at the harbor entrance to be favorable Thursday. Kaumālapa’u restoration is targeted within the week.

Airports:

Impact to airport facilities from Lowell did not affect operations, with flights resuming at Lῑhu‘e Airport (LIH) by 2:30 p.m. LIH is operating on generator backup as power restoration efforts on Kaua‘i continue.

HDOT will continue to update on affected infrastructure on https://hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic/ and its social media accounts.