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

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov July 25, 2012

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed a disaster proclamation authorizing emergency repairs to Kaumualiꞌi Highway on Kauaꞌi in order to prevent imminent collapse resulting from wave erosion.

“The closure of Kaumualiꞌi Highway for an extended period of time, as well as the potential loss of the sewer force main in the highway, poses a danger the health, safety and welfare of the people and local economy,” said Governor Abercrombie. “Prompt, expeditious action is necessary to assure the safety of the public.”

The disaster proclamation for Kaumualiꞌi Highway can be accessed at this link: http://hawaii.gov/gov/newsroom/disaster-emergency-proclamations/Kaumualii_Hwy_disaster_proc_072512.pdf

The soil foundation adjacent to a section of Kaumualiꞌi Highway in the Kekaha area, located on the southwest shore of Kauaꞌi, has sustained significant erosion damage caused by waves. From July 16 to 19, waves eroded approximately 15 feet of the highway shoulder. Continual wave action will undermine the highway pavement and the sewer force main running beneath the highway, necessitating its immediate repair and reconstruction.

This section of Kaumualiꞌi Highway is a two-lane highway and the only route providing access to the west end of Kauaꞌi, the county landfill, the wastewater treatment plant and the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands.

The environmental permitting, design and construction of the repairs to this highway is expected to take more than a year to complete.

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