Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is starting emergency flood mitigation work along Paʻakea Road between Morse Street and Apana Road on Monday, July 6.  

HDOT met with contractors and area Representative Darius Kila on-site in April 2026, after the Kona Lows of March. During this site visit, two major problem areas were identified on Paʻakea Road for immediate flood mitigation work.   

The first area is in the vicinity of Apana Road, where dips in the road and runoff from a nearby outlet, are causing water to collect in the low points. To mitigate this, the outlet will be closed and HDOT will install two aqua cells to divert, hold and store water off the roadway.   

The second area is between Mikilua Grocery and the Feed & Farm Supply. An earlier U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) study recommended addressing the area with berms, drain lines and other hydraulic interventions. HDOT is pursuing a comprehensive drainage study to gain a better understanding of the flooding on Paʻakea Road, which HDOT took ownership of in October 2025.    

The aqua cell installation will begin Monday, July 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays. Traffic in both directions on Paʻakea Road between Morse Street and Apana Road will be limited to local traffic. One lane will be closed through the work zone. Flaggers will alternate traffic through the remaining open lane. Paʻakea residents are advised to expect slowdowns and delays through the area. All other drivers are reminded to use alternate routes.  

This work is estimated to be completed in September 2026. Please note all work is weather permitting. The final completion date for this project is subject to change per these conditions. 

To view the weekly roadwork list for Oʻahu, please visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/oahu/    

To sign up for weekly HDOT lane closure updates please visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/hidot/subscriber/new 

 

 

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