HDOT Delays Reopening of Kuhio Highway on North Shore, County Allows TVRs to Operate as of Today

Ke‘e Beach, Ha‘ena State Park. Photo courtesy of DLNR

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami has signed an eighth supplementary emergency proclamation for the County of Kaua‘i, and has amended the emergency rule and order (Rule #1) as it applies to legal Transient Vacation Rentals in the Lumaha‘i, Wainiha and Hā‘ena area, according to a news release from the County of Kaua‘i.

On Monday, Kawakami joined State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation officials and representatives from the Federal Highways Administration on a site visit to the Wainiha area. After careful consideration and assessment of the current highway repairs, state officials determined that the highway would not be reopening to the full public on May 1. Therefore, state HDOT officials announced Tuesday the reopening of Kūhiō Highway is now anticipated for the week of May 20.

Following this announcement, and based on the community’s request for a soft opening of the restricted area, the county has decided to allow legal TVRs to operate starting May 1.

The road to Ha‘ena, from an aerial video last July. Video grab courtesy DLNR

“I would like to thank Governor Ige and our state and federal officials for taking all concerns into consideration as we work toward a full reopening of the highway,” said Mayor Kawakami. “As of May 1, we will allow legal TVRs to operate with the understanding that all parks and beaches in Hā‘ena remain closed and off limits. We will continue to work with our government partners and the community during this time of transition.”

The county will be working with permitted TVR owners to ensure that their guests receive temporary vehicle placards into the Wainiha area, and further reminds all residents and visitors of the restrictions that remain in place.

Until the highway reopens during the week of May 20, access into the Lumaha‘i-Wainiha-Hā‘ena area will continue to be limited to the following persons, agencies, and organizations:

1. Residents (no visitors); provided that visitors who have verified reservations with a vacation rental holding a valid non-conforming use certificate may access the area;
2. County/state/federal governmental employees and verified governmental contractors;
3. Employees and volunteers for the following types of non-governmental organizations:
4. Utility providers;
5. Recognized humanitarian/disaster response and recovery entities;
6. Insurance industry – Serving verified residents/property owners;
7. Residential or infrastructure construction/repair contractors – Serving verified residents/property owners;
8. Area businesses and non-profits engaged by County/State/Federal government in response/recovery operations; and
9. Other NGO entities, as approved or requested by the County of Kaua’i, State of Hawai‘i or the federal government.
10. Vehicles with a GVWR of 8 tons (16,000 lbs.) and under, with Hawai‘i Department of Transportation-authorized exceptions for appropriate emergency response vehicles.

The public is warned that any person violating this emergency rule and order shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the person(s) shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

A copy of this rule, along with the eighth supplementary emergency proclamation and previous emergency proclamations are available by visiting the County of Kaua‘i’s online “April 2018 Flood Recovery” page at www.kauai.gov.