Kuakini Highway Reopens, Kawalii Gulch, Kahana Closures Remain

Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona, between Palani Road and Kaiwi Street, reopened Wednesday morning following an incident Tuesday just after 10 a.m. that involved a large ficus tree falling onto the roadway, damaging multiple power lines and pole.

Hawai’i Electric Light spokesperson Rhea Lee-Moku told Big Island Now on Tuesday that three poles had been impacted and six lines were down.

On Wednesday morning, Hawai’i Electric Light spokesperson Jennifer Zelko told Big Island Now that the 30 customers who remained without power Tuesday had power restored by 12:30 a.m.

The Hawai’i Police Department said Wednesday morning that although the roadway was reopened, traffic lights at the Kuakini Highway and Palani Road intersection are not in operation and stop signs have been placed at the intersection.

In addition to the Kailua-Kona closure, two closures along the Hamakua Coast have been updated by the Hawai’i County Civil Defense. Officials tell Big Island Now that the Kawalii Gulch, which experienced a landslide Tuesday morning, remains closed to one lane of traffic. Kahana Drive in Ahualoa also remains closed as a result of flooding. The closure remains in effect between the three and four mile markers.

There are no estimated reopening times for the Kawalii Gulch or Kahana Drive closures.