Hole Opens in Mauka Paauilo Road, Swallows Truck

A large hole created by heavy rains overnight swallowed a pickup truck and cut off access to dozens of homes in mauka Paauilo.

According to Civil Defense Agency Director Darryl Oliveira, the hole opened up on Pohakea Mauka Road at about 8 a.m.

He said that section of the road lies over a culvert, and flood waters apparently caused it to weaken and part of it to collapse.

The road as seen in September 2011, courtesy of Google Street View.

The woman driving the truck was apparently able to climb out of the hole on her own.

She was not injured but was “very shook-up,” Oliveira said.

Exactly how the truck ended up in the hole is not clear.

“We’re not sure if it drove into it or if was over it when it collapsed,” he said.

Oliveira said county crews are working to find alternate access to approximately 50 homes left isolated by the collapse.

Google Maps image (click to enlarge).