The state Department of Transportation will hold a public informational meeting tonight on Kuhio Highway bridge and roadway repairs on Kauai.
The meeting, which will focus on locations identified for repair, as well as design, construction, general timing and other project concerns, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hanalei Elementary School cafeteria, 5-5415 Kuhio Highway.
Local access to Wainiha and Haena will follow a Sunday schedule of alternative trips between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The single-lane route is available to Wainiha and Haena residents only, as well as pre-cleared recovery workers and volunteers. Those without county-issued placards or pre-clearance from the Kauai Emergency Management Agency will not be allowed through the checkpoints due to safety issues.
Speed and weight restrictions, meanwhile, remain in effect along the 2-mile route. The speed limit ranges from 5 to 15 miles per hour, and there is a 10,000-pound weight restriction, with the exception of emergency response vehicles authorized by HDOT.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and HDOT continue to conduct emergency repairs to the roadway and bridges along Kuhio Highway (Routes 560 and 56), which includes replacing roadways damaged by heavy rain, flooding and landslides in April. Bridges for Waikoko, Waipa and Waioli streams require replacement to allow for the transport of heavy equipment and materials for the repairs.
Wastewater discharges into Waipahu canal
Department of Health officials have advised people to stay out of the canal behind the Waipahu Recreation Center after wastewater was discharged into it.
The discharge was found Sunday. Officials say it is thought to have been caused by debris from nearby construction.
About 5,560 gallons flowed from the construction site, which went into a storm drain before entering the canal behind the center.
The discharge has been stopped, and the area was cleaned, disinfected and deodorized Sunday afternoon.
Signs have been posted from the Waipahu Recreation Center to the Ted Makalena Golf Course, and samples will be collected.
Hawaii island
Volcano park closed for 18-day record stretch
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has been closed for 18 days because of the Kilauea eruption, making this the longest stretch the park has not been open to the public, a park official said Monday.
The previous record was 16 days in October 2013 during a federal government shutdown, according to Jessica Ferracane, a park spokeswoman.
“This is an entirely different shutdown,” she told reporters.
Only the Kahuku Unit, a part of the park that is a one-hour drive south of the main entrance, remains open during normal hours, Ferracane said. The Kahuku hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Zip-liners bring canned goods in exchange for activities
Over the weekend, hundreds of Hawaii island residents put aside the stress of recent eruptions and enjoyed two days of free zip-lining and family activities with KapohoKine Adventures in Hilo in exchange for donations to The Food Basket, Hilo’s food bank.
A total of 442 people lined up Saturday and Sunday for “Kamaaina Weekend” to zip-line along KapohoKine Adventures’ eight-line course and enjoy some free family activities at Hilo Bay. Zip-liners were asked to bring one nonperishable food item for The Food Basket, and KapohoKine Adventures collected more than 1,000 pounds.
“With the added stress caused by the recent lava eruptions on our community’s financial and personal situations, we felt strongly about doing something to help put a smile on some faces,” said Tony DeLellis, co-owner of KapohoKine Adventures, in a news release. “We hope this small gesture gave at least a temporary break from the stress and hardships our community is facing.”
KapohoKine Adventures, which conducts expeditions in the surrounding areas of Kona, Hilo and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is one of among a group of tour companies that have taken a recent hit from cancellations of trips to the Big Island.
