Waipiʻo Valley Road traffic emergency zone to continue to November
Waipiʻo Valley Road is restricted to Hawaiʻi County residents, permitted tour operators, and Native Hawaiians exercising traditional rights using low-range, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Due to ongoing safety issues, Hawaiʻi County has extended the traffic emergency zone for Waipiʻo Valley Road.
Waipiʻo Valley Road is restricted to Hawaiʻi County residents, permitted tour operators, and Native Hawaiians exercising traditional or customary rights using low-range, four-wheel-drive vehicles.
As the only access point for Waipiʻo Valley, Waipiʻo Valley Road poses significant safety risks. It descends about 800 feet in elevation over approximately 4,100 feet. Rock outcroppings and vegetation overhang the road.
The road also lacks shoulders or adequate troughs to catch falling rocks and debris. It becomes slippery, particularly after heavy rains, and adequate stormwater infrastructure is absent. Some portions of the road are impassable for two vehicles. Limited sight distance hampers drivers’ abilities to safely navigate oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the roadway.
The road can experience significant runoff, particularly after heavy rains. Historically, the county closes the road following periods of heavy rain to clear rock, soil, and vegetation that have fallen on and across the road.
The current condition poses a substantial threat to public health and safety, warranting preemptive and protective action to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of people using the road who will be negatively impacted if the road fails and residents cannot enter and exit Waipiʻo Valley.
The danger to pedestrians navigating Waipiʻo Valley Road presents an unacceptable risk that cannot be corrected without regulations and remediation.
The traffic emergency zone declaration will continue through Sunday, Nov. 1.
