Kalepa, Maui

The Emergency Slope Scaling for Kalepa Slope along Piilani Highway on Maui was an urgent rockfall mitigation effort completed in 2023 to protect a narrow rural highway that serves as a critical access route for East Maui communities and visitors. By removing loose rock and debris from the steep volcanic slopes above the roadway, the work reduced the risk of sudden closures and improved safety for drivers traveling this remote coastal corridor.​

Located along a rugged section of Piilani Highway, the Kalepa Slope area is characterized by steep basalt cliffs and erosive gulches where intense rainfall and natural weathering can trigger rockfalls and shallow landslides. When inspections and field observations identified unstable material threatening the highway, emergency scaling was initiated to address the hazard before it resulted in major blockages or damage to the roadway.​

More than a simple debris clearing effort, the project relied on rope-access crews and specialized scaling techniques to safely reach and dislodge loose boulders, rock slabs, and overhanging soils high on the slope face. Excavation, hauling, and careful traffic control were then used to remove thousands of tons of material from the roadway corridor while maintaining limited local access where feasible and minimizing impacts to nearby communities.​

The emergency scaling at Kalepa Slope enhanced corridor reliability by reducing the likelihood of future rockfall incidents and the extended road closures that can isolate East Maui residents and disrupt emergency response. It also supports broader county and state efforts to manage landslide and rockfall hazards along high‑risk coastal and mountain highways, where geotechnical stabilization is essential to long‑term resilience.​

This work was completed through coordination between county agencies, geotechnical specialists, and a contractor experienced in slope stabilization and scaling in Hawaiʻi’s challenging terrain. The project demonstrates how targeted emergency interventions can improve safety, preserve vital transportation links, and respect the unique environmental and cultural setting of Maui’s coastline.