Mayor’s Waipi‘o Valley Road Continued
Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) Sections 264-1.5 and 127A-25(a), the County of Hawaiʻi’s police powers, and due to the public welfare, health and safety concerns presented by the current conditions of the Waipi‘o Valley Road and the impact of closure on those located in Waipi‘o Valley if the road is closed or fails, I hereby continue, adoption and promulgation of this Mayor’s Waipi‘o Valley Road Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No. 1 previously adopted and promulgated on September 15, 2022. These rules have the force and effect of law.

This Continued Emergency Rule is based on the statements contained in the Twenty First Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Twenty First Declaration of Emergency for Waipi‘o Valley Road effective January 2, 2026.

I, C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, hereby authorize the following:

A.   Waipi‘o Valley Road Closure

Waipi‘o Valley Road shall be closed, subject to the express limited exceptions herein. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Prohibition of all pedestrians;
2. Prohibition of uncovered vehicles, including but not limited to ATV’s; and
3. Prohibition of horseback access.

B.   Limited Access Exceptions

1. Vehicular access by Hawai‘i County residents, permitted licensed/insured tour operators, and Native Hawaiians claiming exercise of traditional and/or customary rights.
   1. Vehicles and passengers shall abide by existing traffic laws, including:
      1. Vehicular use is limited to low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles (All wheel drive vehicles are not considered low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles);
      2. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shall not exceed 10,000 pounds except for utility and emergency vehicles, or existing vehicles used for transit of agricultural products;
      3. Vehicles shall be engaged in four-wheel drive mode at all times;
      4. Vehicle passengers shall be seated in enclosed compartments of vehicles designed for passenger seating and wearing seatbelts;
      5. Makai-bound vehicles shall yield to mauka-bound vehicles.
   2. Licensed/insured tour operators must obtain a permit from the Mayor’s Office. Please call (808) 961-8211.
      1. Permits shall be effective for a period of four (4) months from date of issuance.
2. The Mayor may grant individual exemptions to this rule upon request. Requests shall explain the purpose for which Waipi‘o Valley Road will be used and demonstrate that sufficient safety precautions consistent with these rules are in place. The decision to grant or deny a request is within the sole discretion of the Mayor. Requests shall be submitted to the Mayor’s Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.

C.   Regardless of Limited Access Exceptions Pursuant to Section B, Complete Closure During Significant Weather Events

1. Waipi‘o Valley Road shall be closed for all use, or access further may be limited, during significant weather events as determined by the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency in consultation with the Department of Public Works.
2. This rule is not intended to limit the legal authority of government agencies to close, or limit use, of Waipi‘o Valley Road as otherwise provided by law.

D.   Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction

Access to Waipi‘o Valley Road may be closed or further restricted during active road repair and/or mitigation activities. The Department of Public Works will hold public meetings as part of its road utilization planning during periods of road construction. Information and updates regarding the Waipi‘o Valley Road may be found at Bulletins | Hawaii County, HI Public Works.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County of Hawai‘i to be affixed. Done this 30th day of December, 2025 in Hilo, Hawai‘i.