Iao Valley State Monument has been closed since August while it undergoes slope stabilization work and other repairs related to the lingering effects of 2016 rain and flooding in the valley. The park was supposed to reopen in January but may now remain closed until mid-April due to the challenging work and supply chain issues, a state official said. Photo courtesy DLNR
Iao Valley State Monument may remain closed for a little longer due to the challenging stabilization work and some supply issues, a state Department of Land and Natural Resources official said last week.
The monument has been closed since Aug. 1 for the final phase of its slope stabilization project and parking lot improvements. The monument was supposed to reopen on Jan. 14, but the closure was extended through February.
Now officials are looking to keep the area closed through April 15, according to the department’s website.
“This is because the work being conducted is challenging and requires a lot of man hours hanging off the side of a cliff drilling and installing soil nails to stabilize the storm damaged slope/cliff,” said Larry Pacheco, Maui superintendent for the DLNR Division of State Parks.
There have also been some supply chain issues with obtaining parts for drilling and equipment repairs.
“Our contractor is working diligently to try and meet previously set timelines, but unforeseen issues have forced delays,” Pacheco said in an email.
“We do understand the importance of the area for our residents, visitors, and commercial partners, but we are prioritizing the completion of the project for the safety for everyone before reopening,” he later added.
The work at the monument is tied to the repairs and upgrade work that is still ongoing following a torrential rainstorm in 2016 that caused massive floods and damages estimated in the millions of dollars. The surge of rainwater in Wailuku River picked up truck-sized boulders, uprooted giant trees and collapsed parts of Kepaniwai Park and Iao Valley State Monument.
The floods also heavily damaged homes in the valley and even forced one family to climb onto the roof of their house to safety.
Since then, the monument has been closed off and on for repairs.
The contractor is still working on installing soil nails throughout the cliff face and shotcrete (concrete shot out of a hose) still needs to be applied, Pacheco said.
Also, safety fencing needs to be reinstalled and the parking lot resurfaced and striped.
The main portion of the project is the stabilization of the large slope or cliff face. The work being done will not really change the cliff’s appearance visually from what previously existed, Pacheco said.
The parking lot and pedestrian entry point will be modified and probably be the only real visual changes to the park when it reopens.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
Iao Valley State Monument has been closed since August while it undergoes slope stabilization work and other repairs related to the lingering effects of 2016 rain and flooding in the valley. The park was supposed to reopen in January but may now remain closed until mid-April due to the challenging work and supply chain issues, a state official said. Photo courtesy DLNRToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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