Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a disaster declaration that will allow the state to make emergency repairs to a critical highway on Kauai that was damaged by waves last week.

Waves eroded about 15 feet of Kaumualii Highway’s shoulder from July 16 to 19.

The governor’s office says continual wave action will undermine the pavement and the sewer force main running beneath the highway.

Abercrombie said Wednesday the health, safety and welfare of Kauai’s people and the local economy would be endangered if the highway were to close or if the sewer force main were lost.

This highway is the only route to the west end of Kauai, the county landfill, the wastewater treatment plant and the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.