Daylong closure of Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay

Rockfall Netting will be Placed via Helicopter Over Slope on Sunday, May 17

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is notifying highway users of a scheduled full closure of Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026. A full closure is needed for the helicopter operations to drape rockfall netting over the slope.

To maximize the work completed during the closure, crews will also remove the steel plates previously placed over the waterline for protection during the removal of loose material from the slope.

Emergency vehicles and TheBus will be allowed through the closure area with advance coordination. Electronic signage will be posted and vehicles may turn around at 'Ili'ohu Place on the Hale'iwa side of the closure - and Kapuhi Street/Three Tables on the Kahuku side of the closure. HDOT has provided notice of the scheduled closure to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.

This is the first delivery of the 200,000 square foot rockfall protection netting that will cover the slope above Kamehameha Highway between mile posts 5.4 and 6.2. The rockfall protection netting will be anchored to the slope and supplemented by a 500-foot-long impact fencing system at the bottom of the slope. Total estimated cost for the slope stabilization is $34.4 million and estimated completion is later this summer.

The 750-foot-long single lane closure is expected to continue throughout the slope stabilization. Professional rock mitigation crews are working all available daylight hours to stabilize this slope and protect this critical transportation corridor. By maintaining the single lane closure 24/7, the estimated duration of the stabilization project has been reduced by half. HDOT continues to work with the State Historic Preservation Division to ensure cultural resources in the construction area are protected.

HDOT appreciates the patience of our North Shore residents and visitors during the emergency repairs. Flagging crews have adjusted contraflow timing to allot additional time for Kahuku-bound traffic between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and additional time for Hale'iwa-bound traffic between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists are reminded that between 6:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., the contraflow is controlled by temporary traffic signals.

For video of the work area see https://youtu.be/DjTFQG0fx9s?si=VFrGofx-xyAr6_P3

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