BWS: Kamehameha Highway near Kahana Bay likely to remain closed through Friday

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kamehameha Highway is expected to remain closed in both directions through Friday as crews repair the roadway following a 30-inch water main break.

Following that, one lane will be open for contraflow traffic.

“We have to fix the underpinnings of the road,” said BWS spokesperson Kathleen Pahinui. “We are actively in the process of repairing it. If all goes well, we’re hopeful the road will have a makai lane contraflow on Friday.”

The water main, meanwhile, is expected to be back in service by Sunday.

Until it is, BWS is asking resident from Waimanalo to Kahana to conserve water and restrict use to drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.

The main break happened Saturday, creating a traffic nightmare on Oahu’s North Shore.

Crews from the Board of Water Supply, Department of Transportation and Hawaiian Electric are working at the site. BWS said the Kahuku side of Kamehameha Highway must first be stabilized before the break is repaired.

Water wagons are on Trout Farm Road for residents.

BWS is also delivering water to four families on the Kahuku side.

Officials said pedestrian access across the bridge is available throughout the repair and that a BWS employee will escort them across to ensure their safety. There will also be vans available for city bus users.

Kahana resident Sunny Greer says it’s the second time in the past month that a main break cut their access to water and disrupted their lives.“I actually use this road to go grocery shopping at Tamura’s and also visit ohana. In fact, my neighbors are just down the road,” Greer said.

“They’re parked in my driveway because they can’t get through. And we’re all looking out for each other.”

Greer believes it’s a wake-up call as we get deeper into hurricane season.

“We all need to be prepared. Hawaiians say makaukau. So are we ready? We need to be ready,” Greer said.

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