The County of Kauai has provided an update on the situation on Kauai’s North Shore and other parts of the island affected by record flooding in mid-April. Of note, the county reports:
- Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Waikoko to Wainiha to open to local traffic only beginning May 4th.
- Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed.
- Hanalei Beach Park in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach is closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
- Hāʻena State Park and the adjacent Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park (including the Kalalau Trail) remain closed.
- Portions of Wailua River State Park remain closed.
- Polihale Beach remains closed due to flood damage on the access road.
Full text from the County of Kauai
Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Waikoko to Wainiha to open to local traffic only beginning May 4th.
The County of Kaua‘i and the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation have announced that one lane on Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of Waikoko and Wainiha will be open to local traffic only beginning Friday, May 4.
Residents of Wainiha and Hā‘ena driving vehicles under 10,000 pounds will be allowed to use the single lane on a limited basis during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. Access to the single lane route between Waikoko and Wainiha for local traffic will be dependent on current weather conditions to ensure safety along the 2-mile stretch.
“Although access to local traffic is limited and inconvenient, our highest priority continues to be the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “We will continue to work with the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and the community to make the best of this situation.”
The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Watch for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau through late Friday night. Should the local access be suspended due to weather, state and county officials will provide updated information when it becomes available.
Local access to the 2-mile single lane of Kūhiō Highway between Waikoko and Wainiha will be available on the following schedule:
• 6 a.m. Waikoko to Wainiha;
• 6:30 a.m. Wainiha to Waikoko, to include shuttle;
• 12 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha, to include shuttle;
• 12:20 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko;
• 12:40 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha;
• 1 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko, to include shuttle;
• 6 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko; and
• 6:30 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha, to include shuttle.
Placards and County of Kaua‘i bus passes (that are valid through May 31) will be issued to Wainiha and Hā‘ena residents only. To receive a placard and/or bus pass, residents must bring their vehicle and be prepared to prove residency. Placards and bus passes may be picked up from the county’s point of contact Mike Dahilig at the County office at the Hanalei Colony Resort between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4.
For Wainiha and Hā‘ena residents who are not in the isolated areas, please contact Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency EOC at 241-1800 to coordinate ordering placards and County of Kaua‘i bus passes between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Shuttle and Bus Service: A shuttle service provided by the Hanalei Colony Resort and the County of Kaua‘i Bus will be provided for isolated Wainiha-Hā‘ena residents from the Hanalei Colony Resort to the Hanalei Neighborhood Center.
On weekdays, the bus service will offered during the above times listed between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. County Bus service will not be provided over the weekend from Wainiha to Waikoko. However, the Hanalei Colony Resort shuttle service will be provided in the area. Large items are not allowed on the bus, but residents may bring two grocery-sized bags.
Insurance adjusters, utility company personnel, private contractors and others needing access to work in the communities past the single lane route are asked to coordinate their travel needs through KEMA at 241-1800 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
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The following information provides the current status updates.
Park Closures:
Hanalei Beach Park in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach is closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
Weke Road near the beach park remains closed due to the hazardous conditions. Further, the Kaua‘i Police Department has determined that it is unsafe for residents and visitors to enter Hanalei Beach Park from the pier area to the river mouth.
The Department of Public Works is announcing that starting today, May 3, county-hired contractor Pacific Concrete Cutting & Coring Inc. will remove derelict vehicles from the sand to be returned to the owners, and begin demolition of the comfort station. In addition, the Department of Public Works is currently assessing the damaged area on Weke Road and is working on further solutions to restore the area for public use.
As a reminder, the following state park facilities are closed due to flood damage until further notice:
• Hāʻena State Park and the adjacent Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park (including the Kalalau Trail);
• Portions of Wailua River State Park; and
• Polihale State Park.
Current Road Closures and Repairs:
• Kūhiō Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, remains closed to the public as crews work to clear multiple landslides. HDOT has opened a one-lane emergency access route to Wainiha and Hā‘ena, exclusively for designated emergency responders and coordinated disaster recovery operations.
• For residents affected by the Kahiliholo Road closure in Kīlauea, an emergency access road has been opened for local traffic only through the privately owned Common Ground and Wai Koa Guava Plantation properties.
• Lei O Papa Road in Princeville remains closed due to a sinkhole.
• Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed.
• HDOT continues to inspect bridges in the flood-affected areas on Kaua‘i. No structural issues were found on any of the inspected bridges. An inspection of Wailua River Bridge will be performed when inspectors are able to view the pier structures in Wailua River, according to HDOT. Crews continue to clear debris in the river.