The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced on April 11 that a single lane has reopened on Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay following an earlier full closure caused by fallen boulders. The department said the area beneath the affected slope will remain closed as crews install a permanent rockfall protection system.
The reopening allows traffic to pass through a 750-foot section using contraflow, with flaggers alternating vehicles in both directions. There may be brief periods when all traffic is stopped to allow for additional rock scaling as part of the installation process. During overnight work, crews deliberately loosened more boulders from the slope, some of which landed atop steel plates placed to protect the water main serving North Shore residents.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation estimates that installing the permanent rockfall protection system will cost $20 million and take three to four months to complete. The department is working with the State Historic Preservation Division during construction to ensure cultural resources are protected.
According to the official website, the Hawaii Department of Transportation manages airports for domestic and international carriers, commercial harbors, and a statewide highway network. The agency operates within Hawaii’s executive branch and oversees infrastructure across all six major Hawaiian islands, including 11 commercial service airports, four general aviation airports, nine commercial harbors, and 2,450 lane miles of highways according to its official website.
The department aims to provide safe and efficient transportation while supporting economic growth and quality of life according to its official website. It also collaborates with federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Highway Administration, as well as county planning departments according to its official website.
