Kamehameha Highway ground to a halt in both directions near the Turtle Bay entrance on Thursday after a city bus slammed into a utility pole and sent live wires across the road. Crews and utility teams spent hours at the scene clearing debris and dealing with the downed lines while officers worked traffic control and pushed vehicles onto detours. Drivers along the North Shore were warned to brace for major delays until the mess was cleaned up and repairs were finished.
Bus Crash Severed Pole, Police Say
According to the Honolulu Police Department, District 4 officers responded at about 10:30 a.m. after a city bus struck a utility pole at Kuilima Drive, fronting Turtle Bay. The department said the pole was severed at the base and wires were left in the roadway, which led to an immediate shutdown of the highway in both directions. Officers remained at the site while crews worked to make the area safe for motorists.
Power Outages and Contraflow Traffic
Hawaii News Now reported that roughly 930 customers in the Kahuku area lost power after the pole went down, and that Hawaiian Electric crews were on site to restore service. The outlet said a contraflow lane was opened around 12:30 p.m. to let traffic squeeze past the work zone while repairs continued.
Officials Urge Caution
The Honolulu Police Department wrote on Facebook, "Kamehameha Highway is currently closed in both directions near the entrance to Turtle Bay due to a downed utility pole," adding that crews were actively working at the site. Drivers were urged to avoid the area, use alternate routes and follow officers' directions until full repairs were completed. Hawaii News Now also noted that the contraflow lane, opened around 12:30 p.m., allowed some traffic to pass while work continued, but motorists were still told to expect intermittent delays and to allow extra time for detours.
