Traffic on Oahu's North Shore ground to a sudden stop Friday afternoon when Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay was closed in both directions after reports of falling rock around 1:30 p.m. State crews were sent to the scene to inspect the slope and clear debris, and the shutdown froze movement along the popular coastal corridor while officials evaluated how serious the hazard was.
According to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the closure was triggered by a report the agency shared from DOT Hawaiʻi that said "a crew is sent to assess" the site. When that notice went out, officials had not released any information on possible injuries or how long the highway might remain closed, leaving drivers to sit tight and wait for word.
RT @DOTHawaii: 4/10/26 1:30PM Report of falling rock on Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay. Road is currently closed in both directions as a crew is sent to assess.
— Hawaii EMA (@hawaii_ema) April 10, 2026
Recent Stabilization Work at Waimea Bay
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation had only recently announced that slope stabilization below Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay wrapped up on March 31. That work included soil anchors, drainage and a shotcrete wall, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Earlier Hoodline coverage had already documented flooding and slide debris along this same stretch of road; see the report on flooding and slide debris.
Traffic Impacts and Detours
A full shutdown in this spot can quickly strand North Shore commuters and visitors alike. HDOT and local outlets have previously recommended detours via H‑3 and Likelike or using H‑1/H‑2 to reconnect with Kamehameha Highway, according to Hawaii News Now. During earlier stabilization work in the area, DOT relied on contraflow setups and nightly closures to protect crews while still carving out limited commute windows.
Longer-Term Fixes and Next Steps
State procurement records outline a "Kamehameha Highway Waimea Bay Rockfall Protection Phase 2" project that would extend impact fencing and other protections, according to the state bid materials in the project notices. HDOT updates say crews plan to use drones, rock‑scaling contractors and temporary barriers as part of their assessments and cleanup, consistent with earlier agency rockfall advisories for this corridor.
How to Stay Updated
This story will be updated as officials release new details and reopening times. For the latest on conditions, monitor the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and local traffic coverage from Hawaii News Now.
