Update: Road closures on Big Island for Feb. 20; Ka’u shelters are open

Update at 7:40 p.m on Feb. 20: Old Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou is now open following cleanup from a rock slide.

Due to the Flooding the following roads are closed in Ka’u:

• Highway 11 between mile 59 and 60 in the area known as Kawa Flats.
• North Hilo Highway 19 at mile 13 near Honomu due to a landslide.

Highway crews are working at both sites and anticipate opening later tonight. But due to the closures, Ka’u shelters will be opened at the Pahala Gym and the Na’alehu Community Center for those unable to make their destination.

Update at 4 p.m on Feb. 20: The Hawaiʻi County has announced the following road closures due to flooding:

• Highway 11 between mile 56 and 62 in the area known as Kawa flats in Kaʻu
• Wood Valley Road in Pahala
• Kaalaiki Road (also known as Old Cane Haul Road) in East Hawaiʻi

There are no alternate routes open to the public, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

Original post: The Hawai’i Island police advise motorists to avoid Old Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou between Oihanakupa Road and Old Onomea Road for the next 4 hours (about 4:30 p.m. on Monday).

Crews are working to remove rocks that fell on the roadway.  

Motorists should use Highway 19 as an alternate route.