Sept. 9 updates on road, harbor restoration after Lowell

Honolulu Harbor Reopened; Emergency Access to Kūhiō Highway Restored

News Release from HDoT, Sep 9, 2026

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is reporting progress to restore transportation infrastructure following the impacts of Hurricane Lowell.

Repairs started on Kaumālapa‘u today. Work needed before vessel operations can resume include repair of a sinkhole, repair of the pier apron and clearing the waterway of containers and debris. The revised estimate for the repairs to Kaumālapa‘u is two weeks. HDOT is working with community partners on alternatives for delivery of consumer goods.

Honolulu Harbor was reopened by the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port at 9:30 a.m. today. The harbor was initially closed due to broken buoys at the harbor entrance. Port Allen on Kaua‘i also remains closed.

Kaua‘i crews have cleared an emergency access lane on Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) at Hanalei Bridge. Crews are continuing to clear between Wainiha and Waikoko to restore two-lane access and to clear debris from under the mauka Wailua River Bridge. As reported in the Sept. 8 update, the Wailua debris removal will require the closure of the mauka bridge through Friday, Sept. 11. The makai bridge will be contraflowed to maintain traffic in both directions.

The Kūhiō Highway southbound morning contraflow through the Wailua corridor will not run Wednesday through Friday. An update will be provided Friday on the status of the contraflow on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Honoapi‘ilani Highway in Ukumehame was reopened around 9 a.m. yesterday. There is damage to the shoulder and mauka lane at approximately milepost 13. A small section of the mauka lane is lifted but still traversable. HDOT will be performing a temporary repair on Thursday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., within a single lane closure. The final repairs to the shoulder and lane will start later next week.

Repairs have begun on a 200-foot section of the shoulder of North Kῑhei Road near the junction with South Kῑhei Road. Traffic is currently alternating in the mauka lane with flaggers and Maui Police controlling traffic. The mauka shoulder will be widened to allow two lanes of traffic. Widening is anticipated to be completed by Saturday and the roadway will be opened to two-way traffic. The makai shoulder and lane repair will be completed in approximately two weeks.

HDOT will continue to update on affected infrastructure on https://hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic/ and its social media accounts.

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