Update: 7:53 a.m.

One lane of Kalanianaole Highway eastbound was reopened at 11 p.m. last night, however Board of Water Supply officials said they will need to temporarily close down all eastbound lanes later this morning in order to continue to repair the broken 24-inch water main.

It is unknown exactly when the eastbound lanes will be shut down.

Meanwhile, officials continue to urge motorists and residents of East Honolulu to avoid the area if possible.

Previous coverage

A water main break at the eastern end of the H-1 freeway caused a massive, daylong traffic jam today that spread like octopus tentacles into the side streets of Kaimuki and major arteries like the Pali Highway.

And police said the repairs might take until Monday.

“Use alternate routes,” the Honolulu Police Department urged succinctly in its latest update around 5 p.m.

At some points during the day, the eastbound lanes of the H-1 were backed up for miles.

The trouble began at 4:45 a.m., when a 24-inch transmission line broke on Kalanianaole Highway between Kilauea Avenue and Waikui Street, the Board of Water Supply said.

Police closed the eastbound lanes of the freeway, with traffic exiting at Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall.

The break initially affected customers from Keanu Street in Palolo to Black Point to Ainakoa. However, after crews isolated the damaged section, water service was restored to all but 11 nearby customers, the water board said.

The board set up a water wagon at 4494 Aliikoa St. to provide a water source for them.

A paving contractor was brought in to restore the heavily damanaged roadway. Intially, the board thought the repairs might be finished by the end of the day, but now the completion schedule remains uncertain.