Preparing Hawaii roads for Hurricane Douglas

4 years ago Linda Hohnholz - editor

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division is preparing for the potential effects of Hurricane Douglas by clearing drains in areas known to be impacted in past weather events, ordering contractors to pull BMP (e.g., devices to filter stormwater on job sites) and secure electronic boards and other items that may pose hazards in high winds, and confirming emergency contacts for damage surveys and response.

Weekend roadwork for Hawaii Island and Maui and roadwork scheduled for Oahu on Sunday, July 26 has been canceled in advance of Douglas.

For the traveling public, HDOT reminds road users to stay off the roads during the storm unless necessary.

HDOT expects impacts to state routes in the following areas but cautions that the storm track may change and impact other locations.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in Hamakua.

Maui

Hana Highway (Route 36) is expected to receive significant wave and wind action. Motorists are cautioned that the road is susceptible to landslides and fallen trees. Should motorists encounter a road obstruction they are encouraged to report it via 9-1-1 and not throw debris off the side of cliffs.

Oahu

Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) in Waihole, Waikane, Hauula, Kaaawa and on the north shore.

Kauai

Kuhio Highway (Route 56/560) on Kauai’s north shore and at the Hanalei Bridge are traditionally impacted by flooding.

The public is encouraged to sign up for local notification systems for notice of emergency road closures during Douglas.

Links to the county notification systems: