State announces 11 lane closures across Kauai this week, motorists urged to plan
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation published a schedule of 11 lane closures on Kauai for the week of Nov. 8 to 14, 2025, affecting major routes including Kaumuali‘i Highway and Kūhiō Highway. The closures, mostly single lane or alternating traffic during daytime hours, may slow commutes and local travel, and drivers are advised to consult the HDOT map and allow extra time.
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The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation released a weekly advisory on Nov. 8 outlining 11 scheduled lane closures across Kauai from Nov. 8 to 14, 2025. Work is set to take place on Kaumuali‘i Highway, Kūhiō Highway including Highways 56 and 560, Nāwiliwili Road, Halewili Road and additional local routes. The advisory notes that no lane closures are planned for Veterans Day on Nov. 11 unless specific approvals are granted.
Planned activities include grass cutting, guardrail work, sidewalk and curb construction, soil nailing and grouting, pavement striping, hydro mulching and fence and guardrail installation. Many of the closures will restrict traffic to a single lane or require alternating traffic control. Typical work hours are listed as 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though the advisory cautions that schedules may change without notice.
The advisory provides milepost ranges and vicinity references to help motorists identify affected segments. Examples include work near Puuana Road and Maha Road on Kaumuali‘i Highway, and activity in the Hanalei Bridge area on Kūhiō Highway. Residents and visitors traveling to or from southern, central and northern parts of the island should expect intermittent delays and temporary traffic controls on these corridors.
Daytime lane reductions on Kauai’s primary arteries can have ripple effects across the island. Commuters may face longer travel times during typical work travel windows, and school transportation routes could encounter scheduling disruptions. Local businesses that rely on steady vehicle access, including tourism operators and freight carriers, may also experience delays. Emergency services are generally coordinated with transportation authorities, but alternating traffic and single lane restrictions can nonetheless affect response times in specific areas.
The HDOT advisory links to an online map for detailed locations and timing, and drivers are urged to consult that resource before travel. Motorists should plan for extra travel time, consider alternate routes where available, and follow posted traffic controls and flagger directions.
Public infrastructure work is necessary for safety and long term road health, but it places near term burdens on daily travel. Clear scheduling, timely notice of changes and communication between HDOT, county officials and community stakeholders can reduce disruption. For the latest updates consult the HDOT map and traffic advisories before heading out. Published Nov. 8, 2025.
