Fissure Discovered on Upper Portion of Hanalei Hill Landslide

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) discovered a fissure on the upper portion of a landslide that has covered Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill. earlier this week.

The fissure was discovered Saturday, March 13, while HDOT’s contractor was removing loose materials from the slope above the road. The mass is approximately 80 feet long and 12 feet deep. As a result of this discovery, crews cannot stabilize the loose soils and vegetation in place, which now must be brought down before contractors can work on clearing the road and reestablishing access.

“HDOT is coordinating with its contractor to remove the loose soils and material from the slope on Sunday, March 14,” HDOT stated in a press release Saturday. “After the slope is cleared of loose material, and it is deemed safe to do so, work to clear the road of landslide materials will begin.”

Work to bring down the loose soil at the fissure discovered Saturday is not anticipated to undermine this section of the road. HDOT is still targeting early next week to establish single lane emergency access through the area, weather permitting. HDOT will update the time frame after the work is completed tomorrow.

To expedite roadway clearing and minimize the potential for heavy vehicle vibration to impact the upper slopes, landslide materials will be stored on the property on the Hanalei side of the road until the slopes have been stabilized and secured.

HDOT will continue the closure of the road above the Hanalei Hills landslide, Kūhiō Highway between Kolopua Apartments and Hanalei Plantation Road. HDOT continues to monitor for any potential movement in the road and has not observed any movement to date.