Three sets of huge whale bones were cleared from Kahekili Highway at Haiku Road in Kaneohe about 3:20 p.m. today, and traffic flow was expected to improve quickly.

The bones had already been moved to the median and traffic headed toward Likelike Highway was moving, albeit slowly, as motorists tried to get a good look at the bones.

Before the bones were removed, traffic headed in the direction of Likelike Highway was backed up all the way to Temple Valley from Ha'iku. Kahalu'u-bound traffic was flowing smoothly.

The bones were saved from the carcass of a dead sperm whale that was buried this morning in Kahuku. The bones were being taken to Hawaii Pacific University for research when they fell out of a pickup truck and onto the road.

The bones were too big to pick up, but bystanders eventually helped HPU students drag them onto the median.

Occasionally people stopped for a better look, and some took pictures.

A neighbor said he was drawn outside by the rancid smell.

Police said they were waiting for additional HPU students to arrive and help move the bones.