Kamehameha Highway, near Kipapa Gulch, was closed for five hours last night after debris loosened by heavy rain broke through a chain-link barrier and spilled onto the road. Boulder closes Kamehameha
near Kipapa for 5 hours
By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comNo one was hurt, although a fragment of a boulder hit a passing truck, officials said.
The rock slide was reported just before 9 p.m. on the Mililani side of the Kipapa Gulch bridge.
Police closed the highway between Ka Uka Boulevard and Lanikuhana Avenue to allow state Department of Transportation crews to remove the 150-175-pound boulder.
They reopened the highway at 2 a.m.
"The accumulation of rocks weakened a portion of the chain-link fence" and one of the rock fragments hit the truck, said Doug Aton, Oahu Civil Defense administrator.
Assistant state geologist Kevin Gooding spent this morning examining the hillside to determine what caused the slide.
Police were concerned that there may be more loose material hung up on the hill.
However, Aton, who inspected the area last night, said the hill fronting the highway isn't very steep, and he believes the existing chain-link barrier should provide adequate protection, once it is repaired.
Nelson Daranciang contributed to this report.
