DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: April 3, 2006

DLNR To Start Emergency Rockfall Mitigation
At Diamond Head State Monument
(Portions of Diamond Head Road to Close for Three Weeks)

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will begin work on emergency rockfall mitigation at the exterior base of Diamond Head State Monument at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, April 4, 2006. As a result, a portion of Diamond Head Road will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic 24-hours a day for approximately three weeks.

The recent severe weather triggered a rockfall last week and the hillside remains unstable in the area immediately upslope of the third lookout.

The road will be closed from Diamond Head's second or middle lookout above Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park to the Diamond Head Road/Kahala Avenue intersection during the project. Local traffic will be accommodated. Buses should avoid using Diamond Head Road while this work is being done.

"The loosened material creates hazardous conditions and will be removed from the face of the monument to ensure public health and safety," said Peter Young, DLNR Chairperson.

"DLNR understands the inconvenience imposed by the project and appreciates the public's patience."

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Clifford Inn
DLNR Education and Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (808) 587-0407
Clifford.G.Inn@hawaii.gov