The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced on May 14 that rock fall mitigation work continues along Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay, with a full closure scheduled for Sunday, May 17 to install protective netting over the slope.
This update is important for residents and visitors who rely on this critical transportation corridor, as ongoing repairs and closures may affect access and traffic flow in the area. The department said it is working all available daytime hours to reduce the length of the contraflow as quickly as possible. The Haleiwa side of the contraflow was recently shortened by 250 feet after slope stabilization was completed.
During the week of May 11, crews began replanting over 3,000 native Hawaiian plants along the slope in preparation for draping rockfall netting. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Kamehameha Highway will be fully closed at Waimea Bay while helicopters are used to place netting over the area. Emergency vehicles and TheBus will be allowed through with advanced coordination, and electronic signage will guide motorists to turnaround points at ‘Ili‘ohu Place (Hale‘iwa side) and Kapuhi Street/Three Tables (Kahuku side). Notice has been provided to local authorities regarding this closure.
Two weeks after installing this section of netting, officials plan to shorten the single lane closure by about another 250 feet, which should improve access to Waimea Bay Beach Park and ease congestion. This marks the first delivery of a total planned installation covering approximately 200,000 square feet between mile posts 5.4 and 6.2; a second section is expected in six to eight weeks.
According to the official website, the Hawaii Department of Transportation manages facilities including multiple airports for domestic and international carriers, commercial harbors, and a statewide highway system across all six major Hawaiian islands as part of its role within state government. The agency aims to deliver safe and efficient transportation while fostering economic growth.
The department said professional rock mitigation crews are stabilizing slopes using anchored protection netting supplemented by impact fencing systems below. Maintaining round-the-clock single lane closures has reduced project duration by half compared with standard procedures.
Completion is projected later this summer at an estimated cost of $34.4 million; after both sections are installed and secured, officials expect remaining traffic restrictions will be lifted two weeks later.
