Maui's South Kihei Road partially closed for storm damage repairs

Repairs expected to last through April 15, weather permitting

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:25pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted greens, grays, and blues, depicting a partially obscured winding road surrounded by dense tropical foliage, conveying a sense of the overwhelming power of nature and the disruption caused by the storm damage.The closure of South Kihei Road due to storm damage underscores the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of increasingly extreme weather events.Kihei Today

Crews on Maui have begun work to repair parts of South Kihei Road after back-to-back Kona storms caused severe damage. The road is closed between North Kihei Road and Ohukai Road, with only local access allowed. Repairs are expected to take about one week, with the road reopening by April 15, weather permitting.

Why it matters

South Kihei Road is a major thoroughfare in the area, and the closure will impact local residents and businesses as well as tourists visiting the region. The storms have highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements to withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more common due to climate change.

The details

Work on repairing the storm-related washouts and roadway damage on South Kihei Road began on Wednesday morning. Drivers are being directed to detour via Uwapo Road and Kenolio Road to reconnect with Ohukai Road and South Kihei Road. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays while the repairs are underway.

  • Work began on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Repairs are expected to last through April 15, 2026, weather permitting.

The players

Maui Department of Public Works

The local government agency responsible for maintaining and repairing roads on the island of Maui.

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What’s next

Once the repairs are completed, South Kihei Road will reopen to through traffic, allowing normal traffic flow to resume in the area.

The takeaway

The damage to South Kihei Road highlights the need for continued investment in infrastructure resilience to withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and preparedness to minimize disruptions to critical transportation routes.