The engineering consulting firm for the Honoka`a Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement Project will be performing a "ground penetrating radar survey" in the Honoka'a Town area from today to April 22 (weather permitting) in an effort to locate existing lava tubes that may be encountered in the area.

Ground penetrating radar is a nonintrusive, nondestructive means of locating and mapping underground utilities and also locating anomalies like lava tubes that can interfere with construction of the new county sewer system to be installed in Honoka`a, Big Island officials said in a news release.

While traffic disruption is expected to be minimal, the survey may require temporary closure of a single lane of traffic and motorists are advised to be on the lookout for the work party.

The general areas to be surveyed are Mamane Street from the Honoka`a Civic Center to Lehua Street; Pakalana Street from Honoka`a School to Mamane Street; and approximately 500 feet on Lehua Street below Mamane Street.

For comments or questions, contact Dora Beck, technical services chief with the Department of Environmental Management at 808-961-8028 or dbeck@co.hawaii.hi.us.