Water main breaks in Papaikou, closes school

UPDATED: Repairs to the water main in Papaikou are expected to be completed this evening, said a representative for the Department of Water Supply.

The Department of Water Supply will also be installing a publicly accessible spigot at the intersection of Old Mamalahoa Highway and Maluna Place.

Original article: A water main break in Papaikou has closed Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School and left a portion of the town without water.

According to a statement from the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply, a water main near Old Mamalahoa Highway ruptured Tuesday morning, cutting off the water supply on the old highway north from Maluna Place and including all side roads.

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School, which is along that stretch of the Highway, has been closed until water services are restored.

A time frame for when water will be restored has not yet been determined. The Department of Water Supply is still investigating the cause of the break.