Hawaii Police have issued an alert that HELCO has removed the power pole from Palani Road and it is now open to traffic, as of 5:49 a.m. Thursday.
Original story, 5:15 a.m.:
A power pole is down in front of Kona Christian Academy at 74-4907 Palani Road, and Palani Road is closed between Route 180 (Mamalahoa Highway, where the old Hawaiian Gardens was) and Hao Kuni Street until the situation is resolved.
Hawaii Police issued an alert at 4:16 a.m. Officers say HELCO arrived on the scene just after 5 a.m. and will either shore up or replace the pole.
For now, traffic coming up Palani Road may go on Kealaka’a Street to Kealakehe Elementary and Middle School and Hualalai Academy, and go down through the Hawaiian Homes property to get to Kealakehe High School and Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. All non-local traffic will be turned back. Motorists coming into Kailua-Kona from the Waimea direction will be stopped at Mamalahoa Highway. The best bet is to go down Hina Lani Street to Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway or to Ane Keohokalole Highway or go down Ka’iminani Street.
Those needing to go north from Kailua-Kona could go from Queen Ka’ahumanu up Henry Street straight ahead to Ane Keohokalole Highway and then turn right up Hina Lani to get to Mamalahoa Highway, Hawaii Belt Road, and continue north to Waikoloa and Waimea.
Police say they do not yet have an estimate of when Palani Road will reopen.
