Department of Transportation

LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the County of Kauai announces modifications to the limited access for residents of Wainiha and Haena to Kuhio Highway (Route 560) between Waikoko and Wainiha.

HDOT initially made the single lane route available to local traffic only on Friday, May 4, 2018. This availability is on a set schedule for the safety of those needing access to the areas of Wainiha and Haena isolated by the April 14 flooding as well as the crews continuing to work to restore the route to two lanes. The opening of two lane traffic on Kuhio Highway is estimated to take place within three to four months.

Starting tomorrow construction crews will not be on the route on Sundays. As a result, the limited local access will be available all day on an alternating basis between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, May 6, 2018, the limited local access will begin at 7 a.m. from Waikoko to Wainiha. A pilot vehicle will escort placarded vehicles under 10,000 pounds from the checkpoint to the other side of the closure in Wainiha. The pilot vehicle will then escort vehicles from Wainiha to Waikoko and continue on an alternating basis until approximately 6:30 p.m. when the vehicle will lead the last caravan of the day from Wainiha to the Waikoko checkpoint.

HDOT crews and contractors continue to work to stabilize and clear debris on Kuhio Highway on the North Shore of Kauai following the April 14, 2018 flood event. Beginning next Monday, May 7, 2018 work on the route will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. This will result in a change to the schedule for the limited local access on workdays as follows below:

• 6 a.m. First trip from Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 6:30 a.m. First trip from Wainiha to Waikoko.
• 12 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 12:20 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko.
• 12:40 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 1 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko.
• From 5 to 6:30 p.m. local residents will be escorted through the closure on an alternating basis, and the checkpoints will be locked at 7 p.m.

The checkpoints at either end of the single lane route will be manned by the Kauai Police Department between the hours for the limited local access and officers will be checking for county-issued placards prior to allowing access. As a reminder, TVRs and those without prearranged county approval to access Wainiha and Haena will not be allowed through the checkpoints for their safety, the safety of construction crews, and to avoid damage to the roadway. Speed restrictions are in place along the 2-mile route, with a speed limit of 5 mph in some areas and 15 mph elsewhere along the single lane.

Residents in Wainiha, and Haena needing to access the single lane route can pick up metallic stickers for their vehicles from the County’s point of contact, Planning Director Michael Dahilig, on Monday, May 7, 2018 between 9 to 11 a.m. and between 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Hanalei Colony Resort. As a reminder, this office will be closed Sunday.

Insurance adjusters, utilities, private contractors and others needing access to work in the communities past the single lane route are asked to coordinate their travel needs through the Kauai Emergency Management Agency at 241-1800.

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