Gas line ruptures on Kilauea Avenue

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Road crews working on Kilauea Avenue ruptured a gas line Monday morning, causing about a block of Kilauea Avenue to be closed to traffic for more than two hours.

Road crews working on Kilauea Avenue ruptured a gas line Monday morning, causing about a block of Kilauea Avenue to be closed to traffic for more than two hours.

The line was ruptured at about 7 a.m. near Aupuni Street. It was sealed about 20 minutes later.

The road was closed to traffic between Mohouli and Hoku streets until 9:20 a.m. as a result. Hawaii County Civil Defense and Public Works staff said there was no risk to the public.

There were no injuries.

“There was very limited impact as far as life, safety issues,” said Darryl Oliveira, Civil Defense administrator. “The construction crew responded right away.”

The Fire Department’s hazardous materials team responded.

That section of Kilauea Avenue was already limited to Puna-bound traffic during working hours due to ongoing road and sewer work.

The county has contracted with Yamada and Sons Inc. for the project.

Keith Akiyama, Hawaii Gas operations supervisor, said the line was active but went to a building without any gas customers.

The line has been sealed and is no longer in use, he said.

Businesses on the block were prevented from opening until the scene was cleared.

Akiyama said no gas customers were impacted.