If your afternoon plans involved a smooth cruise past Makapuʻu and Sea Life Park, the road had other ideas. Kalanianaole Highway is shut down in both directions along the coastal stretch after a new sinkhole opened up, backing up traffic on Oʻahu’s windward side and triggering a heavy response from emergency crews.
Drivers in the area have reported long delays, and Honolulu police are steering motorists away from the scene while transportation officials figure out how bad the damage is. The closure was reported Monday afternoon and remained in effect as crews continued their assessment and response.
What the alert says
The Honolulu Police Department's HNL Alert reports that Kalanianaole Highway is closed in all directions in the Makapuʻu and Sea Life Park area because of a sinkhole and urges drivers to stay away from the stretch for now. According to the Honolulu Police Department, motorists should take alternate routes and be ready for delays while responders secure the roadway.
Previous sinkholes and repairs
This section of Route 72 has a track record of trouble when the weather turns rough, with storm-related undermining and sinkholes forcing emergency repairs in the past. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation previously closed Kalanianaole Highway in February 2025 after another sinkhole cropped up near the same area and brought in heavy rock to backfill the undermined portion of the road. That earlier emergency work, detailed by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and covered by Hawaii News Now, highlighted just how vulnerable this scenic coastal route is to heavy weather and erosion.
Traffic impacts and updates
Commuters heading between Hawaii Kai and Waimānalo should plan for significant delays while the closure is in place and follow instructions from officers and traffic controllers on site. Officials say updates will be pushed out through HNL Alert and transportation channels as crews work on the problem, so drivers are encouraged to keep an eye on official accounts for the latest word on when the highway might reopen.
