HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Department of Transportation alerted the public that Kamehameha Highway was being contraflowed in the Koolauloa area, but has since then been reopened.
According to the HDOT, the contraflow was between Punaluu and Hauula as crews responded to a water main break.
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Before the contraflow, officials had closed the road in both directions. An image taken by HDOT showed crews working on the flooded road.
At 2:24 p.m., HDOT said one lane in the Kahuku-bound direction was open.
According to the Board of Water Supply, the 12-inch water main break also caused a sinkhole.
The BSW said they are still working to determine what caused this break. They have shut down the water for several homes here in the community as they try to isolate the issue.
Motorists and residents are dealing with the traffic and lack of water.
Other drivers were turning around and waving at us to turn around but I knew if we turned around and went back island and then have to come up to the middle route it would take an hour — or an hour and a half longer. We decided to wait it out.”
Adam Harries, driver
“It’s a functional problem you can’t use your toilets, no sinks,” said Hauula resident Derrick Pressley. “As a matter of fact, I’m helping my neighbor who had a slight medical problem and you know I went to my garage to get my water supply and ensure to help out because right now there’s no liquids available.”
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By 4:35 p.m., the BWS said they were able to have a water wagon arrive. They ask that you bring your own containers to fill.
