UPDATE: Highway 19 at Kāʻawaliʻi Gulch reopens to all traffic after collision

UPDATE, Sunday, July 12, 2 p.m. | Hawaiʻi Police Department reports that Hawaii Belt Rd. (Hwy. 19) at Kāʻawaliʻi Gulch is open to all traffic.

Original Post | Motorists traveling along Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 19) near Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch should expect delays following a vehicle crash that has reduced traffic to a single lane, according to authorities.

Police are advising drivers to avoid the area if possible for approximately the next hour while emergency crews respond to the incident.

Authorities say one lane of the highway is closed, with traffic being directed through the area using alternating contraflow traffic control. Drivers who must travel through the area should use caution, follow instructions from emergency personnel, and be prepared for slower-than-normal traffic.

No information about injuries or the number of vehicles involved has been released. Officials will continue to monitor the scene and reopen the roadway once it is safe to do so.