- Access into Wainiha and Haena is limited to (see Mayor's Emergency Rule #1, rev 04/29/19):
- Area Residents (no visitors); provided that visitors who have verified reservations with a vacation rental holding a valid non-conforming use certificate may access the area
- Emergency Response (9-1-1)
- Official County/State/Federal Government Officials and Contractors
- Approved Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)
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The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the travelling public that following the completion of the full weekend closure of Waikoko Bridge on Kuhio Highway (Route 560) on Monday, June 17 at 5 a.m., the highway will be opened without restrictions.
Kuhio Highway past Waipa Bridge is currently accessible only to placard-holders on a set schedule. Crews will be working on Kamehameha Day on Tuesday, June 11 and access will be on the Monday-Saturday schedule.
Non-residents planning to access the area after restrictions are lifted are reminded of the following:
- A “no parking” zone has been established between Haena Place and Kee Beach. Parking along Kuhio Highway in this zone is a violation of Chapter 291C-111 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and could result in fines of $200 plus an additional $200 surcharge.
- Access to Haena State Park is by reservation. More information is available at https://www.hanaleiinitiative.org/
- Construction closures to complete the replacements of Waikoko Bridge and Waipa Bridge are currently scheduled for the nights of Wednesday, June 12 and Thursday, June 13. The full weekend closure for Waikoko Bridge is scheduled for June 14-17. The previous news release announcing this closure is available at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/05/30/full-weekend-closure-of-waikoko-bridge-scheduled-for-june-14-17/
- The second full weekend closure of Kuhio Highway at Waipa Bridge is now scheduled for July 12-15. This closure was scheduled to avoid the weekends of the Haena to Hanalei Run and the July 4th Holiday weekend. Wainiha and Haena residents and other authorized placard-holders should retain their placards for access during the full weekend closure in July.
- More information on the Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs can be found on the HDOT website at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/2018-kuhio-highway-emergency-repairs/
- Distribution for Wainiha-Hā‘ena Residential Decals and Temporary Weekday/Weekend Passes:
Beginning Friday, Jan. 25, passes for verified residents and temporary workers will be available at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center every Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The County’s Planning Department will continue to distribute passes at its office located at the Līhu‘e Civic Center every Monday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. However, passes will no longer be available in Līhu‘e on Fridays.
The following passes are available upon approval.
Permanent Residential Decals:
To receive a residential decal, Wainiha and Hā‘ena residents must physically bring their vehicle to the designated distribution site and be able to prove that their identity matches the residency and ownership information in the County’s real property tax database. Documents that prove residency, such as a real property tax bill or a utility bill, must show an address and must also match a government issued photo ID presented by the applicant. Trust documents may be required for those homes held in a trust, or marriage certificates for spouses of owners.
Temporary Weekday/Weekend Passes:
Insurance adjusters, utility company personnel, private contractors and others needing temporary access to work in the Wainiha-Hā‘ena area may apply for a five-day weekday pass, and a two-day weekend pass through the designated distribution sites above.
Those visiting the Hanalei Neighborhood Center on Fridays can only apply for a weekend pass, as passes are produced every Monday on a week-by-week basis.
To receive a weekday and/or weekend pass, individuals must bring a work order or authorization from the landowner listed on the County’s real property tax database. Planning officials may call the landowner to further verify the applicant’s information and to ensure the individual is seeking to conduct legitimate business in the Wainiha-Hā‘ena area.
Weekday and/or weekend passes will be distributed to no more than two passes per company or organization, per address. No overnight stays are permitted with these passes. Passes are limited in quantity, and will be distributed first-come, first-served.
For more information on Wainiha-Hā‘ena passes, please contact the Mayor’s Office North Shore Community Liaison Polly Phillips at 241-4900 or pphillips@kauai.gov.