Kalepa, Maui

Rockfall Protection at Alelele Slope was an emergency project in rural East Maui to address hazardous rockfall above a narrow section of Hāna Highway near Alelele Point, between Kīpahulu and Kaupō. The work focused on protecting a critical coastal route that links remote communities and provides access around the back side of Haleakalā.​

Following increased rockfall activity and a major April 2023 rockfall that rendered the road impassable, the county closed roughly one mile of highway between the Alelele and Lelekea bridges and initiated emergency rockfall protection and slope stabilization. An estimated 1,500–2,300 tons of unstable rock and debris were targeted for removal to restore safe passage and reduce the risk of future sudden closures.​

More than a routine clearing effort, the project used specialized rock scaling crews who worked from the slope face to dislodge loose rock, boulders, and fractured outcrops in a controlled manner before they could fall onto the roadway. Rockfall protection included installation of anchors and other safety measures so that the steep volcanic slope above the highway would be less prone to renewed failures during heavy rainfall and ongoing weathering.​

The Alelele Slope work significantly improved safety and reliability along this isolated reach of highway by lowering rockfall hazards and enabling a phased reopening with limited, then expanded, hours of access. For East Maui residents, visitors, and emergency responders, the project restored an essential transportation link while supporting broader efforts to manage landslide and rockfall risks across Hawaiʻi’s coastal and mountain roads.