Temporary Water Shutoff Affects Kaiwiki Road Residents After Main Repair

Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply crews carried out a temporary water shutoff along Kaiwiki Road in Hilo on Tuesday, Jan. 8, to perform repairs on a water main. The department advised customers in the affected area to store water in advance and to postpone water-intensive tasks until service was restored.

The outage was a planned interruption to allow crews safe access to the damaged main and to complete repairs without risking additional breaks or service problems. Department officials said they expected service to be restored once the repair work was finished, and they issued a public notice asking customers to check the Department of Water Supply notice for exact start and end times and further instructions.

For residents along Kaiwiki Road, the shutoff meant a temporary disruption to everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal hygiene. Local small businesses and households with high water needs were among those most immediately affected. The department directed customers with questions to contact the Department of Water Supply for information and guidance.

Planned repairs and temporary outages are a regular part of maintaining aging and heavily used distribution systems, but they place a burden on communities when not accompanied by clear timing and support. Advance notification and explicit instructions help residents prepare by storing water and shifting water-dependent tasks; the department’s notice reiterated those basic steps. Residents who depend on continuous water for medical devices or caregiving responsibilities should remain in contact with the department to arrange assistance or confirm restoration timelines.

This incident highlights the operational challenges facing the county’s water system and the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure maintenance to minimize unplanned disruptions. Timely repairs protect the broader network from larger failures, but they also underline the importance of targeted communication to affected neighborhoods so residents can mitigate short-term impacts.

Customers with concerns or who require specific accommodations were advised to contact the Department of Water Supply and to refer to the department’s posted notice for the most up-to-date start and end times and any additional instructions.