Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Work May Affect Waimea Traffic Patterns in Coming Months

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2011

• Download a map of the project area

WAIMEA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND — The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is alerting the public to ongoing construction projects in the Waimea district which may affect traffic patterns in the area.

The projects center around providing enhanced water systems to the Lālāmilo subdivision. Enhancements include the addition of a new 1-million gallon water tank to augment the existing 100,000-gallon water tank, and 12- and 16-inch water lines to transport the water to the Lālāmilo subdivision. Information on this project can also be found on the DHHL website.

“Completion of the water system is a necessary and important step in creating future homesteading opportunities in Waimea for our beneficiaries,” Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a said. “We will do our best to keep members of the public informed about the project’s progress. We ask area motorists for their cooperation and patience when traveling along the roads our contractors will be working on.”

Traffic will be impacted during some phases of construction on sections of Kawaihae Road and on the South Kohala Distribution Road near the Waimea Transfer station.

Motorists should anticipate delays and alternating lane closures if traveling toward Waimea on Kawaihae Road on August 9 and 10 as contractors work on water lines related to the 1-million gallon water tank. Flashing road signs will also be set up to alert drivers to the approaching work. Work hours on this phase will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Lane shifts are anticipated on Kawaihae Road from October 11 to December 26, 2011, while South Kohala Distribution Road will experience lane closures during the work day from September 21 through October 4, 2011. Access to the Waimea Transfer Station will remain open.

Work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, though crews will open traffic lanes earlier than 3:30 p.m. whenever conditions permit.

Work on the 1 million gallon water tank is projected to be completed by September 2011. The water line work is expected to be completed by June 2012. A map of the project area is attached for your reference. More information on these and other DHHL projects can be found on the DHHL website, dhhl.hawaii.gov.

Project questions may be directed to Jeffrey Fujimoto, DHHL Project Manager via telephone at (808) 620-9274, or via email at [email protected].

Media inquiries or all other questions should be directed to the DHHL Information and Community Relations Office Administrator Crystal Kua at (808) 620-9591, or via email at [email protected].