KIPU — There will be a single-lane closure on Kaumuali‘i Highway between Kipu Road and Maluhia Road on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for brush clearing.
The single-lane closure with alternating traffic control was originally scheduled for Nov. 8 through Nov. 10, however, HDOT postponed the work to allow the community additional time to prepare for the closure.
There will also be aight lane closure of Kaumuali‘i Highway in the westbound direction between mile markers 3.1 and 6.7, Kipu Road and Maluhia Road, on Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for landscaping and guardrail work.
This daytime lane closure is needed to ensure visibility on the highway and safe access for pedestrians and bicyclists. HDOT crews typically clear this area at least twice annually. Tree trimming and brush clearing are done during daylight for the safety of the crews and need for the crews to see what they are doing.
Kaua‘i is also currently within fledgling season when endangered and threatened seabird fledglings make their way to the ocean from their burrows. No night work is allowed during this period between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 to reduce the risk of lights leading the fledglings off course where they frequently become disoriented and die.
Electronic message boards have been posted to notify the public of the work. Highway users are advised to expect delays, account for extra travel time, and use apps such as Google Maps or Waze to plan their commutes.
Hanapepe
• Portions of Hanapepe will be closed through Nov. 18, on weekdays, to allow Maui Kupono Builders to conduct road resurfacing work, weather permitting. Road resurfacing work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. along portions of Lele Road. No parking will be allowed in the work zone during resurfacing hours.
Anyone with questions may contact Maui Kupono Builders at 808-369-1800 or the County of Kaua‘i Roads Division at 241-4847.
Lihu‘e
• Single-lane closure of Rice Street (Route 51) in the southbound direction between mile markers 0 and 0.8, Mokoi Street and Hoolaulea Way, on Monday, Nov. 15 through Thursday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for tree trimming work.
Wailua
• Narrowed lanes of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in the southbound direction between mile markers 5.7 and 6.6, in the vicinity of Leho Drive and Kapa‘a Bypass, on Saturday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 19, 24-hours-a-day, for road and shoulder work.
Anahola
• Right shoulder closure of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in the southbound direction between mile markers 11.8 and 13, Makanani Street and Kuhio Highway, on Sunday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 19, 24-hours a day, for shoulder work — with lane realignment but without lane closure.
Kilauea
• Right lane closure of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions between mile markers 18.5 and 21, Kapuna Road and Waiakalua Street, on Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for tree trimming and landscaping work.
• Single-lane closure of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions between mile markers 19 and 21.6, Kapuna Road and Wailapa Road, on Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for road reconstruction and resurfacing.
• Single-lane closure of Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions between mile markers 23.8 and 25.1, Kalihiwai Road and Kalihiwai River, on Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., for tree trimming and culvert cleaning work.
It took close to three hours to go to Poipu and back to Lihue on November 8th. Extremely poor planning and the public deserves to know made this decision. From what I could see, the work being done could have been accomplished with a group of workers with brush whackers operating safely behind the guard rails, rather than having the one lane closure. Southwest Airlines delayed a flight because of the late arrivals to the airport, Why can’t the DOT get Grove Farm to open the cane haul road from Knudsen gap area and connect to Kipu Rd, for the traffic coming from the west? Come On Man!