Commuters traveling through ‘Aiea should prepare for significant disruptions starting next week as crews move in to stabilize a failing hillside. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has announced a series of closures on Kamehameha Highway to facilitate urgent repairs to a slope located beneath the ‘Aiea Cemetery.
The project, which addresses structural damage caused by a sequence of severe weather events, will result in the full closure of westbound lanes on Route 99. The work is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. On Monday, April 13, 2026, with an estimated completion window of two weeks.
The instability stems from the failure of a shotcrete layer—a sprayed concrete used to prevent soil erosion—that had previously protected the slope. According to transportation officials, the protective coating began to crack during the Kona lows in March before finally sloughing off during a period of severe weather in April, leaving the hillside vulnerable and requiring immediate intervention to ensure the safety of the roadway below.
Timeline for closures on Kamehameha Highway in ‘Aiea
The closure will impact a specific stretch of westbound Kamehameha Highway, beginning at the off-ramp to ‘Aiea Access Road—just past Aloha Stadium—and extending to the H-201 on-ramp, located shortly before the Dixie Grill. For the majority of the workday, both westbound lanes will be completely shut down to allow crews to secure the slope.
Recognizing the impact on the evening rush, officials have integrated a partial reopening into the daily schedule. From Monday through Friday, the left lane heading toward Pearl City will reopen to traffic between 2 p.m. And 8 p.m. This window is intended to alleviate some of the congestion during the peak evening commute, though motorists should still expect delays.
| Time Period | Lane Status | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Full Closure | Westbound (Route 99) |
| 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Left Lane Open | Westbound toward Pearl City |
| 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. | Full Closure | Westbound (Route 99) |
Recommended detours and traffic impact
Due to the fact that the closure cuts off a primary artery for those moving between ‘Aiea and Pearl City, the state recommends that drivers seek alternate routes to avoid the bottleneck. The most direct alternative for long-distance travelers is the H-1 Freeway, which remains the most efficient way to bypass the construction zone entirely.
For those needing to remain on local roads, Notice two primary detour options:
- Via ‘Aiea Access Road: Motorists can exit onto ‘Aiea Access Road and proceed onto Moanalua Road.
- Via Salt Lake: Drivers may utilize Salt Lake Boulevard and Kahuapaani Street to navigate around the closed segment.
Local business owners and residents near the Dixie Grill and the ‘Aiea Cemetery area are encouraged to plan for additional travel time, as detours are likely to increase volume on the surrounding secondary roads.
The role of weather in slope failure
The deterioration of the slope highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining infrastructure in Hawaii’s volatile weather patterns. Kona lows—deep low-pressure systems that bring heavy rain and strong winds to the islands—are often the primary catalyst for slope instability. In this instance, the March systems created the initial structural weaknesses, while the April storms provided the final stressor that caused the shotcrete to separate from the hillside.
Shotcrete is a standard engineering tool used throughout the islands to lock soil in place and prevent landslides, but it is not immune to the effects of saturation and seismic shifting. The current repairs are focused on not only replacing the lost material but securing the slope to prevent future sloughing during subsequent rainy seasons.
Transportation officials have not yet indicated if further closures will be required beyond the initial two-week estimate, though the timeline remains subject to weather conditions. The next confirmed checkpoint for the project will be the finish of the second work week, at which point the department is expected to provide an update on the full reopening of westbound lanes.
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