Honolulu Board of Water Supply crews worked overnight on the main, which ruptured at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, only to find leaks early today while the line was being repressurized. The welding and stabilization work is time consumg but needs to be done to seal off leaks that could create bigger problems, said Board of Water Supply spokesperson Denise DeCosta.

Once the water main is repaired, backfill work needs to be done to close the estimated 60 feet by 20 feet hole around the broken main. DeCosta did not know how long the work would take but said both lanes of Kamehameha Highway should be reoped by tomorrow morning barring any further problems.

Officials, meanwhile, hope to have full water service restored to a cluster of customers by noon today. About 24 customers have been without service for over 36 hours.

"We need to do some re-engineering in looking at what we can do in the future to better service those left without water during main breaks," DeCosta said. "There has to be something other than using water wagons, which is OK for eight hours but not over 30-plus hours."

Residents said it was the third break at the same site since December.

Yesterday afternoon the hole around the broken main was an estimated 60 feet by 20 feet, and about 8 feet deep. A few curious onlookers watched as the work proceeded.

Repairs on the latest break were complicated when roots from a nearby kamani tree got in the way.

Workers said they hope to save the tree, which has sentimental value for nearby residents.