Falling rocks close highway at Makapu'u
Advertiser Staff
More rocks fell from the cliffs at Makapu'u Beach onto Kalaniana'ole Highway this evening, forcing the closure of the road in both directions.
Bruce Asato• The Honolulu Advertiser
There were no reports of injuries.
Honolulu police officer Carl Roth stands watch at the cliffs at Makapu'u Beach, where about a dozen volleyball-sized rocks fell onto Kalaniana'ole Highway tonight, prompting Department of Transportation officials to close the road in both directions.
The Department of Transportation said the road will be closed overnight.
Police were turning back motorists, and DOT crews were assessing the situation.
The road just reopened late yesterday following three weeks of work to rid the cliffs of loose rocks and make way for a protective fence.
Earlier this week a falling rock struck a passing car, shattering its windshield, and the driver called for the closure of the road until the steel mesh is put in place. His call came as a subcontractor on the project warned motorists not to drive the area during or after heavy rain, saying the rainfall could wash away dirt that holds smaller rocks in place.
It was unclear tonight what the Kalaniana'ole situation meant for the community, which was counting on the road being open this weekend for a two-day festival intended to help reinvigorate its businesses. Many of them suffered a drastic drop-off in the three weeks of road closures needed while the work was performed.
