Surrounded by scenes of historic Koloa, including the first sugar mill stack, The Salvation Army building, the monkeypod tree planted by Howard Yamamoto in 1925, the former Yamamoto Store, and the current Sueoka Store, the county’s Department of Public Works and Kaikor Construction Group, the general contractor for the Koloa and Kipu bridge repair project, hosted a blessing on Wednesday for the work scheduled to start beginning March 6.
Surrounded by scenes of historic Koloa, including the first sugar mill stack, The Salvation Army building, the monkeypod tree planted by Howard Yamamoto in 1925, the former Yamamoto Store, and the current Sueoka Store, the county’s Department of Public Works and Kaikor Construction Group, the general contractor for the Koloa and Kipu bridge repair project, hosted a blessing on Wednesday for the work scheduled to start beginning March 6.
“It is unique in Hawaii to place so much emphasis at the start of a project because we’re honoring everyone who came before us and created these opportunities to connect people, communities, and towns for today and tomorrow,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a release. “I want to thank our team and all the workers on this project whose safety is the top priority so they can return to work and continue providing for their families.”
Kawakami actively participated in the blessing officiated by Kumu Sabra Kauka, which involved representatives from the project’s general contractor, Kaikor Construction Group, and the county engineers from Public Works.
Starting March 6 and continuing through at least Nov. 1, motorists using the Koloa Road and the Kipu bypass road are advised of shifting lane closures on weekdays, weather permitting, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while the project is in progress.
The repair work for the Koloa and Kipu bridges is estimated to cost $1.9 million. Kaikor Construction, which has experience on Kauai working on other bridge projects, is the general contractor, working with subcontractors, including Hiilawe Construction, Harry Asato Painting, GF Roadway Solutions, Pacific Concrete Cutting &Coring, Alii Landscaping &Maintenance, Quiliopo Painting, and Simmons Steel Corp.
The scope of work for both bridges includes repairs to spalled or pitted concrete abutments, piers, and decks, overlaying the bridges with a new asphalt surface, adding guardrails near both ends of the Koloa bridge’s mauka barrier, and more minor repairs.
During the work that starts on Monday, the county advises motorists to make the appropriate arrangements to accommodate the necessary road closures. These adjustments include using alternative routes, driving with caution, and allowing extra time to reach their destinations.
Stephen Baginski of Kaikor Construction said they plan to minimize motorist disruptions because workers will spend a lot of time under the bridges.
As a reminder, the county said the Koloa bridge, located near Sueoka Store, has a weight limit of 6 tons. Trucks and other vehicles that exceed this load limit should find alternative routes to reach their destination to reduce further damage to the bridge.
Bagniski or Roger Mamuad of Kaikor Construction Group can be reached at 808-841-3110, and Aidan Smith of the County of Kauai Engineering Division can be reached at 808-241-4881.
