Update: Repairs completed on water main break on Ali’i Drive in Kona

Updated: May 19, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Repairs have been completed to the water main break on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona. Water service has been restored to all affected customers, the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply said in press release.

The affected customers were on Aliʻi Drive between Hale Hālāwai Park and Sunset Plaza in Kona.

Updated: May 19, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.

A water main break on Friday morning has caused the closure of Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island due to flooding and road damage.

Crews from the Hawai’i County Department of Water Supply are on scene and say they have to dig up the main water line, find the leak, patch it and then repair the road.

A department news release issued at 10:15 a.m. said the repairs would take about six hours to complete.

Ali’i Drive is closed between Hualālai Road and Wālua Road. Traffic will be detoured for the next several hours, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department. The incident is causing backups on Kuakini Highway. Drive with caution. 

Certain customers along the road are without water service. 

The flooding is occurring between the back entrance of the Kona Islander Inn to St. Michael The Archangel Church on the mauka side of Ali’i Drive; and it is between the oceanfront restaurants Kai Eats and Papa Kona. The water is flowing into the small beach along the ocean.

Pedestrians have to walk single file on the short rock wall on the ocean side to get past the flooded area along the main tourist drag.

For more information, call the Department of Water Supply at 808-322-0600 or 808-961-8060 during normal business hours, and 808-961-8790 for after-hour emergencies, or email [email protected].

The story will be updated as information becomes available.