Emergency crews responded to yet another gas leak in Kalihi yesterday afternoon after a Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation contractor struck a two-inch gas pipe near McNeill Street and Dillingham Boulevard. Hawaii News Now reported that Honolulu fire and police were called to the scene around 1:30 p.m.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of utility strikes that has plagued rail construction along the Dillingham Boulevard corridor. According to Hawaii News Now, the same contractor hit gas lines twice in three days back in August 2023, with one incident forcing several nearby businesses to close for the day.
Growing Pattern of Gas Emergencies
Kalihi has become a hotspot for gas-related emergencies tied to construction activity. In January 2025, Hawaii News Now reported that a construction crew hit a gas line, shutting down westbound lanes of Dillingham Boulevard between McNeil and Kalihi streets. Just weeks earlier in December 2024, another gas leak shut down portions of Dillingham Boulevard and McNeil Street.
The frequency of these incidents raises questions about safety protocols and construction oversight. Hawaii Gas has stated that contractors are required to call 811 before digging and must hand dig to verify buried line locations before using power equipment. However, these requirements “were not followed” in previous incidents involving the same contractor, according to company officials, as mentioned on Hawaii News Now.
Economic Impact on Local Businesses
The repeated utility strikes continue to compound economic disruption along Dillingham Boulevard, where ongoing rail construction has already prevented left turns up and down the roadway. Local business owners along the corridor have expressed concerns about the prolonged impact of construction activities on foot traffic and customer access…