Governor Signs Disaster Proclamation for Emergency Repairs to Kaua'i’s Kuhio Highway

March 5, 2012

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie signed a disaster proclamation on Friday, March 2, authorizing the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin emergency highway repair work on Kuhio Highway near Kilauea town on Kaua'i in response to a partial collapse of a 15-foot-diameter culvert running beneath the highway. Heavy rains over the past two weekends have caused erosion to the soil foundation on the ocean-side of Kuhio Highway near Mile Post 22.5, a thousand feet east of the Pili Road intersection.

“Emergency repairs are necessary for the safety of all those who use this popular corridor,” said Governor Abercrombie. “State traffic personnel are working to ensure that the North Kaua'i communities remain accessible to residents and visitors.”

The disaster proclamation for Kuhio Highway can be accessed at this link: http://hawaii.gov/gov/newsroom/disaster-emergency-proclamations

According to the state DOT, an average of 12,000 vehicles passes through the area daily. Traffic has been temporarily rerouted around the work zone using Kolo and Pili Roads as a detour. Motorists are advised to follow all posted all traffic signage and to use caution while driving through the area.

State highway personnel completed site inspections last week and the design of a repair project is expected to be completed later this week. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-to-late March. It will include the excavation of a section of Kuhio Highway approximately 150-feet-long, and replacement of the damaged drainage culvert as well as reconstruction of the highway pavement.

For the most up-to-date information regarding traffic contraflow in the area, please visit hawaii.gov/dot.

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Governor Abercrombie Signs Disaster Proclamation for Kaua'i and O'ahu

March 6, 2012

HONOLULU – As heavy rains, high winds and flooding continues over the islands of Kaua'i and O'ahu, Governor Neil Abercrombie this morning signed a disaster proclamation for both islands. The proclamation allows for any necessary and appropriate steps to be carried out; and provides for activation of civil defense and other emergency functions to ensure public health and safety.

Since, Saturday, March 3, Kaua'i and O'ahu have experienced extreme weather conditions resulting in property damage and losses. Weather forecast information indicates that heavy rains and flooding are expected to continue through today.

The proclamation states:

“This occurrence of a severe, sudden, and extraordinary event has caused extensive damages, losses, and suffering of such character and magnitude to affect the health, welfare, and living conditions of a substantial number of persons, thereby affecting the economy of the State, which is expected to be of such nature as to warrant rehabilitative assistance from the State.”

The entire disaster proclamation can be viewed at this link: http://hawaii.gov/gov/newsroom/disaster-emergency-proclamations/KauaiOahuEmergencyProc3.6.12.PDF

The Governor’s actions today is in addition to his March 2 disaster proclamation authorizing the state Department of Transportation to begin emergency highway repair work on Kuhio Highway near Kilauea town on Kaua'i in response to a partial collapse of a 15-foot-diameter culvert running beneath the highway.

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News Release from Hawaii DoE

KGI: Governor declares disaster for rain-soaked Kaua‘i

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AP: Hawaii gov. declares disaster after rain, flooding