Komohana work winds down

After nearly 17 months of construction, the Komohana Street project is coming to a close.

Reconstruction of a portion of the road — about 4,000 feet in total between Kukuau Street and Waianuenue Avenue — began in October 2015.

Hawaii County Department of Public Works spokesman Barett Otani said contractor Yamada &Sons had completed all items on the punch list and would be removing construction signs and message boards from the site.

Otani said the contractor was also ordering a new street sign for Huali Street because the old one was “misplaced during construction.”

The reconstruction project ran 165 days behind schedule for a number of reasons, including weather delays and malfunctioning machinery. Last year, Yamada &Sons also moved some equipment to other sites where it was a county subcontractor.

Liquidated damages, to be issued as a change order on completion, total $165,000. The amount will be deducted from the project’s total cost.

The county’s original budget for Komohana Street was $4.9 million.

Another major construction project in Hilo began March 6 on Kawailani Street. Otani said that contractor Jas W. Glover, Ltd. is currently working on installing drywells, which will facilitate drainage.

The Kawailani Street project will add turn lanes, traffic lights and sidewalks to the intersections of Pohakulani and Iwalani street. It is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2018 and cost $20.1 million.

Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.