Crews to work on water main repairs overnight on Dole Street

Update: 3:35 p.m.

Board of Water Supply crews will continue working overnight to repair the 20-inch water main that ruptured under Dole Street near Kanewai Community Park, officials said this afternoon.

The crews are replacing at least 15-feet of the water main which broke early Thursday.

BWS officials advise motorists to avoid the area and of these traffic modifications:

>> All lanes of Dole Street are closed between East-West Road and Frank Street.

>> The mauka-bound lanes of St. Louis Drive are closed at the Dole Street intersection. The makai-bound lanes of St. Louis Drive are open.

>> Motorists may enter and exit St. Louis Heights from Frank Street.

>> Motorists exiting St. Louis Heights from Frank Street must turn left onto Dole Street then turn right onto St. Louis Drive.

Update: 10:12 a.m.

Repairs to a broken 20-inch water main is expected to continue through tonight, according to Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Kathleen Pahinui.

Crews spent hours digging to reach the pipe on Dole Street that was originally installed in 1928. Because it’s located deep in the ground, crews also brought in equipment to shore up the trench.

Update: Friday 6:56 a.m.

Waialae Elementary Public Charter School will reopen today. The school shut down Thursday morning due to the 20-inch water main break.

Update 9:00 p.m.

Work on the broken 20-inch water main break near Kanewai Community Park on Dole Street will continue overnight and into Friday, Board of Water Supply officials said this evening.

The break closed four schools in the area but Department of Education officials said Jarrett Middle School, and Palolo and Liholiho Elementary schools now have water and will reopen Friday. No decision has been made yet regarding Waialae Elementary Public Charter School.

Parents were advised to check the school’s website or Twitter account for updates on when the school would reopen.

Motorists are warned to avoid the area and those traveling to and from St. Louis Heights and the work area are advised to drive slow and with caution.

As of this evening:

>> All lanes of Dole Street are closed between East-West Road and Frank Street.

>> The mauka-bound lanes of St. Louis Drive are closed at the Dole Street intersection. The makai-bound lanes of St. Louis Drive are open.

>> Motorists may enter and exit St. Louis Heights from Frank Street.

>> Motorists exiting St. Louis Heights from Frank Street must turn left onto Dole Street then turn right onto St. Louis Drive.

Some water customers in St. Louis Heights may continue to experience low to no water pressure, BWS officials said. Customers in Wilhelmina Rise, Palolo, Diamond Head, and Kaimuki and St. Louis Heights are asked to use water sparingly overnight for essential needs only, such as cooking, cleaning and sanitary needs.

Roving water wagons are available for the affected customers by calling 748-5000 extension 1, officials said.

Regularly scheduled trash pickup for residents on Dole Street will be delayed until after the main break repairs are completed, but residents may leave the trash bins out, they said.

The parking lot for Kanewai Community Park will remain open overnight for residents who have lost on-street parking in the repair area.

Update: 12:26 p.m.

The Board of Water Supply is reminding affected customers in St. Louis Heights, Wilhemina Rise, Palolo, Diamond Head and Kaimuki to conserve water as repairs to a broken 20-inch water main are expected to continue through Friday.

Update: 11:27 a.m.

All lanes on Dole Street between East-West Road and St. Louis Drive will remain closed throughout the day and night as crews continue repairs to a broken 20-inch water main, according to Board of Water Supply spokesman Dymian Racoma.

Crews are replacing a section of the pipe that ruptured at about 2 a.m. today.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Update: 10:04 a.m.

Roving water wagons are available for customers affected by the water main break. Customers may call the Board of Water Supply at 748-5000 ext. 1.

Update: 9:12 a.m.

Waialae Elementary Public Charter School is also closed today due to the water main break.

Previous coverage

A 20-inch water main break near Kanewai Community Park has prompted the closures of three schools today.

The Hawaii Department of Education announced Palolo Elementary School, Jarrett Middle School and Liholiho Elementary School are closed due to a lack of water caused by the rupture.

The water main break was reported at about 2 a.m. on Dole Street near the University of Hawaii at Manoa. All lanes are closed on Dole Street between East-West Road and St. Louis Drive as crews conduct repairs. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

The main break has affected customers in St. Louis Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Palolo Valley and Kaimuki. Though water service is slowly being restored, the Board of Water Supply asked customers to use water sparingly.

A water wagon is available near the intersection of Dole Street and Frank Street. Crews also attached a spigot to a nearby hydrant to provide water to affected customers in the area.