Alii Drive reopened in Kailua Village

KAILUA-KONA — Alii Drive has reopened to both lanes of travel between Hualalai and Walua roads Friday after Hawaii County crews assessed a sinkhole that developed Tuesday fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace in Kailua Village.

A lane shift will remain in place, and the makai shoulder of the road closed to pedestrians, Neil Azevedo, Hawaii County’s highway maintenance chief, said shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Azevedo said the damage is caused by erosion that has undermined the seawall exposed to Oneo Bay. It’s an issue that has cropped up in the same spot for years, including in 2015 and spring of this year, and is the result of years of ocean crashing against the wall and circling in the area.

Repair work will be conducted at night in order to avoid traffic congestion and other related problems. A schedule for the work has not been set.