Kekaha Traffic Detour to Kōke‘e State Park Through April 2026

On Jan. 9 the County of Kaua‘i Department of Public Works warned residents and motorists of a temporary traffic detour in Kekaha associated with HDOT work on Waimea Canyon Drive. The detour began as construction entered an active phase and is scheduled to remain in place through April 2026, affecting travel on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Traffic to Kōke‘e State Park will be routed through ʻAlae Road and Kōke‘e Road in Kekaha during the specified weekday hours. Detour routes will be clearly marked with traffic control signs, electronic message boards have been installed, and flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic flow as needed. Notices were distributed to area residents and businesses ahead of the work to reduce surprise impacts.

Motorists should anticipate possible delays and are advised to obey posted signs, instructions from flaggers and any special duty officers, and to allow extra travel time when planning trips. County officials said access for area residents will be maintained as much as possible during the road work, though intermittent adjustments to ingress and egress may be required while crews are working.

The detour adds a layer of complexity for routine island travel and for the many visitors who access Kōke‘e State Park from the west side. Waimea Canyon Drive is both a local thoroughfare and a tourism corridor connecting Kaua‘i’s west side to upland recreation areas; disruptions there can ripple through local businesses, emergency response planning, school commutes, and agricultural transport. Residents and operators of visitor services should factor the weekday schedule and the extended evening work window into staffing, delivery, and trip-planning decisions.

For county-related traffic concerns or to report issues related to the detour, contact the Department of Public Works Engineering Division at 808-241-4883 or pwengineering@kauai.gov. Local drivers, tour operators, and emergency planners are encouraged to monitor posted signs and electronic message boards along affected routes for the latest on traffic controls and temporary changes.