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Overview

The County of Hawaii's Department of Water Supply (DWS) is identifying projects to support with Federal and State recovery assistance funds following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

The 2018 Kīlauea eruption caused about $40 million in damage to water infrastructure, including the loss of about 14.5 miles of waterlines in lower Puna. DWS will receive about $30 million, or 75% of the damage assessment, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on a reimbursement basis to support water infrastructure improvements. A local match will be supported by State loans.

January 2025 Update -

DPW Update January 2025 DPW Schedule Update January 2025

The County of Hawai‘i is making significant progress in restoring roads that were inundated by lava during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, marking a major step toward reconnecting impacted communities in Lower Puna.

Highway 137 Reconstruction Underway

Isemoto Contracting is currently grading the area adjacent to “Four Corners,” the intersection where Highway 137 meets Highway 132. The 3.6-mile-long segment of Highway 137, connecting Kapoho to Pohoiki, is anticipated to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.

Pohoiki Road Restoration to Begin

The County has also awarded a contract to Nan Inc. for the restoration of Pohoiki Road, which was similarly affected by lava in 2018. This project encompasses 4.5 miles of reconstruction and realignment. Work is expected to start in the second quarter of 2025, with completion projected for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Investment in Infrastructure and Community Recovery

“We are pleased to announce that the restoration of Highway 137 is well underway,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “This project, soon to be followed by the restoration of Pohoiki Road, represents the start of a long-awaited investment in Lower Puna’s infrastructure that will help reconnect impacted communities.”

Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz, who represents the eruption-affected district, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “Restoration of Highway 137 is a critical step forward in Lower Puna’s recovery. Our office is deeply grateful for the efforts to get construction back on track and ensure the project is completed, allowing our community to move forward with renewed strength and resilience.”

Additional Project Details

As part of the restoration efforts, waterlines along both Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road will also be replaced. Combined, these road and waterline restoration projects are estimated to cost approximately $50 million, with 75% of the funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The County is utilizing recovery funds from the State of Hawai‘i to cover the remaining 25% local match.

To ensure safety, no-trespassing signs will be posted, and the public is reminded to stay out of construction areas. The project timeline accounts for procurement, design, and construction phases, and the County will provide updates as work progresses.

These restoration projects signify a major milestone in Lower Puna’s recovery, helping to rebuild vital infrastructure and strengthen community resilience for the future.

November 2024 Update -

Meeting 1 notes Future meetings page

If you have any questions, please contact Sherise Kanaʻe-Kāne at 808-961-8499 or sherise.kanae-kane@hawaiicounty.gov

September 2024 Update -

The Department of Public Works will be blessing the heavy equipment to mark the start of road construction on Highway 137. All are welcome to attend the blessing ceremony, which will take place at the Kumukahi Lighthouse entrance (Four Corners) on Tuesday, September 24, at 10:00 AM.

August 2024 Update -

The Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works (DPW) is moving forward with the reconstruction of a section of Highway 137, stretching from Highway 132 to Pohoiki Road. This essential project includes grading the existing lava rock, constructing a new asphalt concrete pavement structure, removing and replacing pavement in areas not affected by lava inundation, and installing a new 6-inch waterline. Additional improvements will also include roadway signs, striping, and pavement markers to ensure the safety and longevity of the road.

Isemoto Contracting Company, Ltd has been awarded the contract for this project and received the notice to proceed on June 24, 2024. The project is expected to be completed by March 2026, with on-site construction set to begin at the end of September 2024.

To honor the beginning of this significant work, DPW will hold a blessing ceremony for the project’s equipment during the last week of September. We will notify the community of the exact date and invite everyone to participate in this meaningful event.

For more information, please contact: sherise.kanae-kane@hawaiicounty.gov

As the project progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.

July 2024 - Update from Revitalize Puna

For those who were unable to attend the Revitalize Puna event on July 13^th, 2024 (see video below) where DPW spoke on the latest updates, we wanted to provide an update on the status of the road restoration projects. There have been no major changes to the schedule (see image below) since the one we posted earlier this year. The project remains on track and consists of four stages of work.

The first stage involves the section from 4 Corners to Pohoiki Road. Isemoto has been contracted for this stage, and a Notice to Proceed was issued at the end of June 2024. It typically takes about 60 days for the Contractor to submit detailed schedule, traffic and stormwater plans before construction begins. We will be holding a public blessing near the end of August 2024, with details to be provided soon. The work for this stage is expected to be completed by March 2026, as the contract duration is 18 months. We are hopeful that the pace will quicken once construction starts.

The second stage focuses on Pohoiki Road. The Department of Public Works (DPW) has acquired all needed access and is now finalizing the design. Bidding should begin by the end of July 2024, with an anticipated bid award and contract in place by the end of September 2024. Construction will commence following the award and is expected to last 18 months.

The third stage covers the bottom of Pohoiki Road to MacKenzie. Work on this stage will start once the first stage is nearing completion. This section is expected to be completed within 12 months from the start of construction.

The final stage involves Lighthouse Road, which is about 700 feet long. This stage has been scheduled as the last part of the project to allow more time to address the Kumukahi stewardship plan.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we work diligently to restore these vital roadways. Please stay tuned for further updates and details on the upcoming public blessing event.

2624 Updated Timeline

May 2024 - Video Update from DPW

February 2024 - Updated Timeline

With additional progress on final engineering and design for the Kīlauea Recovery Road and Waterline Projects, the Department of Public Works has issued a more thorough updated timeline for the project.
Updates on each of the four segments:

Highway 137 Four-corners to Pohoiki Road (Road & Waterline): DPW is in the final stages of reviewing design documents and anticipates releasing the bid package in February, with an estimated 90 days for bid reception, review, award, and contract. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2024 and affected landowners along the route have been notified.
Upper & Lower Pohoiki Road (Road & Waterline): DPW is currently completing the final design package, with notifications sent to affected landowners along the route. Appraisal work for parcels to be acquired is underway. The bid, award, and contract processes is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter or the beginning of the third quarter in 2024, with construction for this segment beginning after.
Highway 137 Pohoiki Road to McKenzie (Road Only): Design work is currently in progress.
Lighthouse Road (Road Only): Design work is also in progress.

Updated Timeline:

As the project progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.

December 2023 - Notice to Proceed Granted by FEMA

The County of Hawai'i has reached another significant milestone as FEMA has now issued the highly anticipated "Notice to Proceed" for the Pohoiki Road and Highway 137 Road Repair and Water Line Projects. This official notification gives the County the green light to move forward and begin repairing roads and water infrastructure that were inundated or damaged by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

The next step involves the County finalizing the procurement process and making essential final preparations to ensure a smooth transition to the groundbreaking phase, which is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024. The County is also actively working on the required documentation necessary for putting this project out to bid.

The County of Hawai'i extends its gratitude to FEMA for their support and partnership throughout this process. As preparations continue, the County remains dedicated to keeping the community informed and engaged in the upcoming phases of this critical infrastructure initiative.

These latest developments mean the County remains on-track with the timeline published with the release of the Final Environmental Assessment last month, which can be seen by scrolling down to the update from November 2023.

As the project progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.

November 2023 - Final EA Released

FEMA has completed and published the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Pohoiki Road and Highway 137 Road Repair and Water Line Installation.

The Final EA discloses the federal decision-making process, agency coordination, and public participation in determining whether to revise the EA, withdraw the EA, prepare this Finding of No Significant Impact, or initiate an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Public comments received on the Draft EA are published and responded to in the Final EA.

FEMA has determined a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in the Final EA, meaning once we receive the Notice to Proceed from FEMA, the project can begin. This brings us one step closer to construction beginning on this project.

The Final EA contains only one major change from the previous draft. During the public comment period, FEMA received a substantial number of comments requesting a reordering of the project phases. Specifically, there were numerous requests to postpone the Lighthouse Road portion of the project, placing it in the final phase. This proposed adjustment aims to allow the community to collaboratively develop a formal protection plan for the culturally significant and sensitive areas at Kumukahi.

In response to the valuable input we received during the EA comment period and multiple meetings with local residents, we have made the decision to resequence the project phases, with the Lighthouse Road portion now positioned as the final phase. This strategic adjustment provides the community with the necessary time and space to collaboratively develop a comprehensive protection plan for this sacred area as access is restored after the completion of Lighthouse Road.

We understand the eagerness within the community to witness the tangible results of the extensive collaborative efforts by the County and FEMA over the past two years. As we look ahead, the next phases of the project will involve the finalization of engineering designs, a crucial step that could only proceed once the Final EA was released. Following this, we will move forward with the procurement process, setting the stage for the commencement of construction, which is expected to kick off in early 2024.

Now that the EA is finalized and a FONSI has been issued, the County of Hawai'i has updated the timeline for the project:

EA Schedule

With the finalized EA, FEMA also provided a Notice of Availability, and the report on the Finding of No Significant Impact.

As the project progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.

August 2023 - Draft EA Released

The County of Hawai’i is excited to announce a significant milestone in the Pohoiki Road and Highway 137 Road Repair and Water Line Installation. The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been successfully completed and is now open for public review. This exciting development marks the next phase in critical infrastructure in lower Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, carried out in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with $82 million for roads and $6 million for waterlines.

Important Links

Press Release
Full Draft Environmental Assessment
Public Notice

What's Covered in the EA?

The EA covers the purpose of the project and encompasses essential road and waterline construction areas, including Pohoiki Road from Highway 132 to Highway 137, Highway 137 from Pohoiki Road to Highway 132 and Kumukahi-Lighthouse Road, Highway 137 near MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and Kumukahi-Lighthouse Road. It describes alternatives considered and covers how the project would impact the surrounding areas and plans for mitigation.

Public Meeting and Comment Period

The public comment review period for the draft EA is from August 3, 2023, to September 5, 2023. We value your input and encourage you to share your thoughts during this critical phase. As part of our commitment to transparency, we also held a virtual public review meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 5-6:30 p.m. Click here to review the FEMA PowerPoint Presentation.

All comments must be received in writing and will be accepted through September 5, 2023. Comments should be mailed to: Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region 9, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607-4052. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail (preferred) to fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov; please include “Puna Road Repair and Water Line Installation” in your subject line.

Important Dates to Remember:

August 3, 2023: EA Released - 30-day Comment Period Begins

August 8, 2023: Virtual Public Review Meeting (Zoom)

September 5, 2023: Comment Period Ends

The Path to Progress: What's Next?

Completion of the EA is a crucial prerequisite before construction can commence, ensuring that we adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act's rules and regulations. With the draft EA now published for public comment, FEMA anticipates to finalize the EA in September 2023 with a Notice to Proceed to follow for the County to take on its role on starting the projects. This allows formal design plans for the roads and waterlines to be submitted for review, bringing us one step closer to breaking ground. At this time, construction is slated to begin in early 2024.

Stay Connected

As the project progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.

Updated Timeline

Pohoiki EA Project Timeline AUG 23

April 2023 - Video Update with Planning Director Zendo Kern

December 2022 - Video Update from Department of Public Works Director Steve Pause and Planning Director Zendo Kern

November 2022 - Video Update from Planning Director Zendo Kern and DWS Manager and Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto

September 2022 - Public Notice

March 2022 - Infrastructure Update

January 2022 - Infrastructure Update at Revitalize Puna Meeting

Projects

These proposed projects increase system resilience, improve functionality, provide regional benefits, and extend waterlines into some new areas. To see how these projects line up with where residents displaced by the eruption live now, view this map created from recovery survey data.

FEMA PROJECT MAPS 20221117 Recovery web page1024_1

Priority Projects

Waterline replacement to Isaac Hale Beach Park/Pohoiki

Estimated cost: $6 million
Estimated construction duration: 24 months
The proposed waterline project hinges on the ability to install a waterline that won’t be impacted due to subsurface temperatures along the waterline alignment.

Highway 137 waterline improvements (Pohoiki to Kapoho Kai)

Estimated cost: $2.3 million
Estimated construction duration: 12 months
The proposed project involves constructing a 4-inch waterline along Highway 137 from Pohoiki to Kapoho Kai Drive.
Project is contingent on completion of Pohoiki Road waterline improvements.

Kea‘au well, reservoir improvements

Estimated cost: $19.2 million
Estimated construction duration: 48 months
This proposed project includes a reservoir, transmission waterline and well above the existing Shipman Industrial Park that will connect an additional water source and storage to the existing Olaa-Mountain View Water System that also services water south to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Makuʻu Subdivision. The Olaa-Mountain View water system is able to provide emergency redundant water service to the Pahoa water system thus, this project will increase the resiliency to both water systems.

Kalapana waterline remediation

Estimated cost: $150,000
Estimated construction duration: 3 months
The proposed project will relocate a portion of the existing waterline that appears to be leaking out of the inundation area at the intersection of Highways 130 and 137. The proposed waterline improvements would decrease water losses within the system, increasing the efficiency of the water system as well as decreasing the electricity costs to run the wells in the system.

Nānāwale waterline improvements

Estimated cost: $3 million
Estimated construction duration: 15 months
The proposed project includes the installation of new waterlines within the Nanawale Estates Subdivision to create a looped system that will improve circulation and resiliency of the existing water system. The installation of fire hydrants along the proposed waterline routes will improve fire protection for the community.

Hawaiian Paradise Park waterline improvements

Estimated cost: $6.5 million
Estimated construction duration: 18 months
The proposed project will add an interconnection between the Olaa-Mountain View water system with the Pahoa water system through the end of the existing waterline in the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Makuʻu Subdivision. The proposed improvements will also extend along Kaloli Drive and will be able to serve the County regional park project. These water system improvements will improve the redundancy and resiliency for both the Olaa-Mountain View and Pahoa water systems. The installation of fire hydrants along the proposed waterline routes will improve fire protection for the community.

Pāhoa Village waterline improvements

Estimated cost: $3 million
Estimated construction duration: 15 months
The proposed project includes the installation of waterlines along the Pahoa Village Road from Apaa Street to the Pahoa By-Pass Road Intersection. The proposed project will supplement the existing waterline within Pahoa Village Road that was installed in 1961 providing redundancy and improving the resiliency and fire flow capacity along the improvements route.

Post Office Road waterline improvements

Estimated cost: $1 million
Estimated construction duration: 6 months
The proposed project includes the installation of a waterline along the Post Office Road from the Pahoa Village Road to the Pahoa By‑Pass Road Intersection where proposed improvements to the road are being considered. The installation of fire hydrants along the proposed waterline route will improve fire protection for the community.

Maps and Graphics

Road Work Base Map

Blessing and Surveying of Highway 137-A from Highway 132 to Pohoiki Road began in September 2024 and Road Restoration started in January 2025. This project includes the restoration of waterlines along Highway 137.
Contract for restoration and realignment of Upper and Lower Pohoiki Road, along with restoration of 1000 ft of Leilani Avenue, was awarded to Nan Inc. in January 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2025. This project includes restoration of waterlines along Pohoiki Road.
Restoration of Highway 137-B near MacKenzie State Recreation Area will commence after the completion of the previous two projects.
Restoration of Lighthouse Road will be the final project to be completed.

Other Projects

If priorities 1-8 aren't fulfilled, and there are remaining funds, DWS will use recovery funds to support:

Insertion valve tool and valves to increase system resilience

Estimated cost: $250,000
The proposed purchase includes the acquisition of an insertion valve tool and pairs of various sized valves. This tool will provide DWS the flexibility in emergency situations to install valves at strategic locations while the water system is active or for other waterline work while keeping the number of customers impacted to a minimum.

Ola‘a No. 3 Well B improvements for increased capacity and resilience

Estimated cost: $7 million
Estimated construction duration: 30 months
The proposed project includes an additional source and related improvements at the existing Olaa No. 3 well and reservoir site. The proposed project will provide additional capacity as well as improve resiliency and redundancy to the existing Olaa-Mountain View water system where there are currently two sources. These improvements will also improve the resiliency and redundancy for the Pahoa water system.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition equipment for Keonepoko Nui, Pāhoa, and Ola‘a wells.

Estimated cost: $1 million
Estimated construction duration: 9 months
The proposed project includes the installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment at existing DWS facilities in the Olaa-Mountain View water system as well as the Pahoa water system. The improvements improve resiliency by allowing monitoring of the wells and reservoirs remotely through one SCADA system at the Hilo Operations Center.

Ola‘a No. 6 well generator purchase for emergency backup power and Ola‘a No. 3 well emergency transfer switch

Estimated cost: $500,000
The proposed project includes the installation of one portable emergency generator at the Olaa No. 6 well site and the installation of an emergency transfer switch to the existing Olaa No. 3 well. The improvements will improve resiliency for both the Olaa-Mountain View and Pahoa water systems during prolonged power outages.

Kea‘au Well B-Phase 2 improvements

Estimated cost: $6 million
Estimated construction duration: 15 months
This proposed project includes a reservoir, transmission waterline and well above the existing Shipman Industrial Park that will connect an additional water source and storage to the existing Olaa-Mountain View Water System that also services water south to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Makuʻu Subdivision.

Service for boat wash, spigots

Estimated Cost: $100,000
Estimated construction duration: 1 month
Contingency for boat wash if waterline to Pohoiki can't be restored.

Public Engagement

DWS and the County's Disaster Recovery Division hosted a public meeting on the proposed projects virtually via Zoom on Oct. 28, 2021. Check out the slide deck here or watch the video below. This presentation occurred prior to the Highway 137 waterline project being added.