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DOT: Rockfall protection work in West Maui to last about a month

By Staff | Mar 7, 2019

WEST MAUI – Rockfall protection work along Honoapiilani Highway past Kapalua is expected to take about a month, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) reported last week.

Rockfalls impacted the highway on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, at Honokohau Valley (Mile Marker 36.5) and the Nakalele Point Light Station (Mile Marker 41).

Last week, HDOT crews and a local contractor inspected the highway between the sites of the initial rockfalls and conducted fieldwork to clean the slopes.

Rock scaling will be done to remove boulders and rocks loosened from recent heavy rains from the slopes above the highway.

On Feb. 26, crews began addressing ten sites starting at Mile Marker 41. They will work toward Lahaina until the project is done.

Work will take place on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Intermittent full closures of the highway will be in place as the rocks are knocked down and cleaned from the highway. This will be done in 15-minute intervals.

During work hours, Honoapiilani Highway between D.T. Fleming Beach and Kahekili Highway at Camp Maluhia will be closed to all but local traffic.

Emergency responders will also be allowed through the area.

On Feb. 26, on behalf of Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Josh Green issued a supplemental emergency proclamation declaring not only Oahu’s Pali Highway a disaster area, but also part of Maui County.

The state noted that Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30) in West Maui suffered extensive damage because of recent heavy rains.

The supplemental emergency proclamation authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated for the quick and efficient relief of extensive damage to the Pali Highway and to the portion of Honoapiilani Highway.

The disaster relief period expires on April 22, 2019.