Loop Road Closed for Repairs Until Further Notice

Last spring, the Wailua Management Road, also known as “Loop R

Wailua Loop Road. Photo courtesy of DLNR

oad,” which leads to the Blue Hole in the Wailua area experienced severe damage due to heavy rains, falling trees and landslides. The conditions continue to deteriorate and are posing a public safety hazard, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife blocked vehicular access as of Thursday, Aug. 8 until further notice.  Repairs to Loop Road will be ongoing and will involve repairing sections of the road and river crossings that were damaged by ongoing heavy rains and flooding.

Weeping Wall at the base of the Blue Hole. Photo by Léo Azambuja

The road was closed May 25, 2018 to all vehicle access beyond Keahua Arboretum parking lot, due to hazardous road conditions caused by recent weather events. The entire Wailua portion of the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve is open for foot traffic, vehicular access will remain closed.

Pedestrian traffic is not encouraged due to the hazardous conditions and the difficulty the area presents for emergency services to respond in the event of an accident. When the road and area is safe, the road will be re-opened for public use.