Mayor's Waipi'o Valley Road Continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and
Emergency Rule No.1
Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (“HRS”)
Sections 264-1.5 and 127A-25(a), the County of Hawaiʻi’s police powers,
and due to the public welfare, health and safety concerns presented by the
current conditions of the Waipi‘o Valley Road and the impact of closure on
those located in Waipi‘o Valley if the road is closed or fails, I hereby
continue, adoption and promulgation of this Mayor’s Waipi‘o Valley Road
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 previously adopted and
promulgated on September 15, 2022. These rules have the force and effect
of law.
This Continued Emergency Rule is based on the statements contained in the
Twenty Fourth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Twenty Fourth
Declaration of Emergency for Waipi‘o Valley Road effective July 4, 2026.
I, C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, hereby authorize
the following:
- Waipio Valley Road Closure
Waipio Valley Road shall be closed, subject to the express limited
exceptions herein. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Prohibition of all pedestrians;
-
Prohibition of uncovered vehicles, including but not limited to
ATV’s; and
- Prohibition of horseback access.
- Limited Access Exceptions
-
Vehicular access by Hawai‘i County residents, permitted
licensed/insured tour operators, and Native Hawaiians claiming
exercise of traditional and/or customary rights.
-
Vehicles and passengers shall abide by existing traffic laws,
including:
-
Vehicular use is limited to low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles
(All wheel drive vehicles are not considered low range, four-
wheel drive vehicles);
-
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shall not exceed 10,000
pounds except for utility and emergency vehicles, or existing
vehicles used for transit of agricultural products;
-
Vehicles shall be engaged in four-wheel drive mode at all times;
-
Vehicle passengers shall be seated in enclosed compartments of
vehicles designed for passenger seating and wearing seatbelts;
- Makai-bound vehicles shall yield to mauka-bound vehicles.
-
Licensed/insured tour operators must obtain a permit from the
Mayor’s office. Please call (808) 961-8211.
-
Permits shall be effective for a period of four (4) months from
date of issuance.
-
The Mayor may grant individual exemptions to this rule upon request
and shall explain the purpose for which Waipi‘o Valley Road will be
used and upon sufficient showing that safety precautions consistent
with these rules are in place. The decision to grant or deny a
request is within the sole discretion of the Mayor. Request shall be
submitted to the Mayor’s Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603,
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
-
Regardless of Limited Access Exceptions Pursuant to Section B,
Complete Closure During Significant Weather Events
-
Waipio Valley Road shall be closed for all use, or access further
may be limited, during significant weather events as determined by
the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency in consultation with the
Department of Public Works.
-
This rule is not intended to limit the legal authority of government
agencies to close, or limit use, of Waipi‘o Valley Road as otherwise
provided by law.
-
Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction
Access to Waipi‘o Valley Road may be closed or further restricted during
active road repair and/or mitigation activities. The Department of Public
Works will hold public meetings as part of its road utilization planning
during periods of road construction. Information and updates regarding the
Waipi‘o Valley Road may be found at
Bulletins | Hawaii County, HI Public Works.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the
County of Hawai‘i to be affixed. Done this 1 day of July, 2026 in Hilo,
Hawai‘i.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
__________________________
Sinclair Salas-Ferguson
Deputy Corporation Counsel
___________________________
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
County of Hawai‘i
