Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream

Fair

Kalawao County, Hawaii · On Puahi Street South of · Structure no. 8896001P0000000

Built: 1982; 43 years old, rebuilt 2009
Condition: Fair; inspected June 2023
Type: Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder; Wood or Timber
Length: 39 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 5; 2013 count
Owner: Federal; National Park Service

About this bridge

Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream in Kalawao County, Hawaii. It was built in 1982 and reconstructed in 2009, so it is 43 years old, younger than the Hawaii average of 63.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 6 by 2033. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesPuahi Street

CrossesWaihanau Stream

LocationOn Puahi Street South of

RouteFederal Lands Road 0

CountyKalawao County

StateHawaii

Coordinates21.18631, -156.98364

Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionJune 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action

Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating40 US tons

Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder

MaterialWood or Timber

DeckWood or timber

Main spans2

Design loadH 15

Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)

Longest span15 ft (4.7 m)

Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)

Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2013)

Projected traffic6 by 2033

Trucks—

Lanes on structure1

Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic

CarriesHighway and pedestrian

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service

Maintained byNational Park Service

Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost$173,000 (2021 estimate)

NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2009.

What condition is Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2013 count).

How long is Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.7 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Puahi Street over Waihanau Stream?

It is owned by the National Park Service.