Brush Clearing Scheduled for Portion of Kaumualiʻi Highway

A single-lane closure is scheduled for a section of Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) for brush clearing.

The closure will be from Monday, Nov. 15, to Tuesday, Nov. 16, between Kipu and Maluhia Roads, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

According to Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the single-lane closure with alternating traffic control was originally scheduled for Nov. 8-10. HDOT postponed the work to allow the community additional time to prepare for the closure. Lane closure notices for State Highways are posted every Friday here.

The daytime lane closure is needed to ensure visibility on the highway and safe access for pedestrians and bicyclists, HDOT stated. HDOT crews typically clear this area at least twice a year. Tree trimming and brush clearing are done during daylight for the safety of the crews and need for the crews to see what they are doing.

“Kauai is also currently within fledgling season when endangered and threatened seabird fledglings make their way to the ocean from their burrows,” HDOT stated. “No night work is allowed during this period between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 to reduce the risk of lights leading the fledglings off course where they frequently become disoriented and die.”

Electronic message boards have been posted to notify the public of the work. Highway users are advised to expect delays, account for extra travel time, and use apps such as Google Maps or Waze to plan their commutes.