Hawai’i County officials have announced that the Waipiʻo Valley access road will be closed to non-Waipiʻo residents over this year’s July Fourth Weekend.

The decision to close the road comes as the county continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents have also requested the closure, citing high traffic, roadway, and health concerns. Guards will be positioned at the top of the road throughout the weekend to ensure compliance.

In a statement Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “Closing the valley access road to nonresidents will help us ensure the health and safety of the Waipiʻo Valley community as we head into the long weekend.  We have to remember that we are at the final stretch of this pandemic, and we cannot afford to trip at the finish line. By avoiding large gatherings this Fourth of July, we can ensure that we will be able to have much larger gatherings next Fourth of July. Getting our families and friends back together is a top priority, but we have to do it safely.”