Māmalahoa Highway to close overnight in Keauhou for pole replacement

Hawaiian Electric crews closed a portion of Māmalahoa Highway in Keauhou from 10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12 to 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, to replace a utility pole, the utility said in a Feb. 5 advisory. The work took place approximately half a mile north of Donkey Mill Road and was scheduled overnight to minimize disruptions to the community.

Hawaiian Electric’s advisory specified the timing and location, stating, “Mamalahoa Highway, about a half mile north of Donkey Mill Road, will be closed from 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, to 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. The work is being performed overnight to minimize disruptions to the community.” The company advised motorists to use Kuakini Highway as an alternate route and to exercise caution near the work zone.

Traffic control at the Keauhou closure was handled by on-site personnel. Hawaiian Electric’s advisory said, “Motorists are advised to use Kuakini Highway as an alternate route and drive with caution when approaching the work zone. Flagmen will provide traffic control.” Local reporting by Big Island Now echoed that guidance, noting the closure was scheduled overnight and that “Flaggers will provide traffic control.”

Social media notices amplified the advisory to Kona-area drivers the evening of the closure. A Facebook post announced, “Hawaiian Electric will close part of Māmalahoa Highway to replace a utility pole in Keauhou from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m tonight,” providing a quick reminder for motorists heading through the Keauhou corridor after evening events and shifts.

State highway planners were conducting additional, separate work on Mamalahoa and nearby routes later in the month. The Hawaii Department of Transportation listed multiple single-lane activities for Feb. 17–20, including a Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) waterline installation between mile post 6.1 and 6.3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) striping work near Lindsey Road and Lalamilo Farm Road at mile post 0 to 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; tree trimming and mowing on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) near Papalani Place at mile post 86 to 89 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; removal and replacement of striping between Filipino Clubhouse Road and Koa Road at mile post 105 to 109 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; shoulder work near Ninole Loop Road at mile post 54 to 56 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and rumble strip and striping work near Old Mamalahoa Highway at mile post 80 to 84 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The advisory and follow-up coverage did not specify whether any customers in Keauhou experienced planned power outages during the pole replacement, nor did the notices clarify whether the roadway closure was a full roadway shutdown or a partial closure with alternating traffic. Hawaiian Electric’s newsroom advisory carried a HILO dateline and a Feb. 5, 2026 release date; Big Island Now republished the closure details on its site the night before the work.

Overnight scheduling and the use of Kuakini Highway as an alternate route were intended to limit daytime impacts for Keauhou businesses and commuters. Readers who travel between Donkey Mill Road and Kuakini Highway should note the recent advisory and the separate HIDOT lane-work schedule for Feb. 17–20 when planning trips along Mamalahoa Highway in the coming week.