POIPU — The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon organizers are gearing up for the race on Sunday. The race begins at 6 a.m., and while traffic will flow in and around the Koloa, Poipu, Lawai and Kalaheo areas, there will be some lane and road closures between 5 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
To ensure the safety of both runners and drivers, exercise caution and patience when driving on the Southside on Sunday. The Kauai Police Department and Blue Knight Security will monitor traffic flow throughout the courses.
• Road closures:
Access into Koloa and Poipu will be limited to Koloa Road and Omao Road until 6:30 a.m. From 6:30 until 8 a.m., there will be no inbound traffic other than emergency vehicles into Koloa and Poipu. Plan and schedule accordingly.
Poipu Road will be closed from Kapili Road to the Koloa bypass road (Ala Kinoiki) from 5:30 until 6:15 a.m.
Hoonani Road will be closed from 5 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. from Lawai Road to Kapili Road. Traffic will continue to flow in and out of the Sheraton Kauai Resort via Kapili Road.
Koloa Road inbound and outbound lanes from Kaumualii Highway (Highway 50) will be closed from 6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Lauoho Road, Waha Road and Puu Road will be closed to through traffic from 7:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. All residents living in this area are advised to use extreme caution.
Omao Road from Highway 50 to Koloa Road will be closed to through traffic from 6:30 until 9:30 a.m. All residents living in this area are advised to use extreme caution.
Ala Kinoiki will be closed from 6 to 7:45 a.m.
Maluhia Road both inbound and outbound to and from the Koloa bypass through to Highway 50 will be closed to traffic from 6 until 8:15 a.m. All traffic on Maluhia and Ala Kinoiki will return to normal shortly before 8:45 a.m.
• Partial closures:
Highway 50 from Maluhia west to Omao Road will be restricted to alternating, one-way traffic in the mauka lane from 6:30 until approximately 8:30 a.m. Traffic flow will be monitored by KPD at both Maluhia and Omao roads.
Papalina Road from Waha to Puu Road will be restricted to alternating, one-way traffic in the mauka lane from 7:15 a.m. until noon. Traffic flow will be monitored by KPD at both ends.
As runners retrace their steps via Papalina, Waha, Lauoho and Koloa roads, the roads will re-open as indicated above once all of the runners have passed.
The western Koloa bypass road (Ala Kalanikaumaka) will be closed from 6:15 a.m. until 2 p.m. Outbound traffic from the Poipu roundabout to Koloa Road will remain open.
The Poipu roundabout will be heavily impacted, and traffic will be slowed considerably from 6:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. as runners enter the roundabout from Ala Kalanikaumaka.
Westbound Lawai Road and Spouting Horn traffic will be re-routed through The Shops at Kukuiula.
In summary, traffic will flow in and out of all Southshore regions, but it is recommended that travel in these areas on race day be limited from 5 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. For those visitors and residents needing to reach Lihue Airport from the Southshore or Westside, plan at least 1.5 to 2 hours travel time.
