The Hawaii Department of Transportation is alerting motorists to lane closures on Kamehameha Highway in Waipahu this weekend for a major mural project by students from three different high schools.
From 3 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday, the northbound lanes of the highway — from Waipahu Street to Waipio Uka Street — will remain closed. Traffic will be contraflowed in the southbound lanes.
The Lumiauau Street inlet/outlet at Kamehameha Highway will also be closed, and traffic will be detoured to Lumiaina Street.
DOT says the closure is needed to ensure the safety of close to 100 students from Pearl City, Mililani and Waiphu High schools as they paint the mural along this busy roadway as part of an effort to beautify travel corridors.
The mural — which will stretch nearly three-quarters of a mile along Kamehameha Highway — will transform the heavily used roadway into a visual story about the significance of the Waipio Ahupuaa.
Students will be guided by local artists Blythe Yoshikane, Jesse Velasquez and Solomon Enos.
Electronic message boards have been posted along Kamehameha Highway to notify motorists of the lane closures and detours.
Special duty police officers will be at Kamehameha Highway and Lumiaina Street to assist with traffic control and safety. Motorists are advised to follow all traffic controls and drive safely around the students.
