Maui County is proposing to replace deteriorated rockfall netting along a 320,000-square-foot cliff face on Hāna Highway in Kīpahulu. A draft environmental assessment is open for public comment until October 23, 2026.
- Maui County Department of Public Works plans to install new stainless-steel mesh netting over the ʻAlelele cliff face to replace severely corroded existing netting.
- The ʻAlelele slope is prone to rockfalls that have caused fatalities and periodic highway closures, including a 2023 incident that exceeded the current netting’s coverage.
- The project requires state approval due to its location within a conservation and shoreline area, triggering a mandatory environmental review.
- Public comments on the draft environmental assessment are due by October 23, 2026, and can be submitted to AECOM consultant Courtney Hymes.
- East Maui Council Member Shane Sinenci highlighted the road’s importance as an emergency and daily access route, noting resident access will be a priority during construction.
Source: Maui Now
Share this article
