A water main break in Haleiwa yesterday afternoon closed Kamehameha Highway in both directions overnight and North Shore residents were being asked to conserve water.

Kurt Tsue, a spokesman for the Board of Water Supply, said crews by early evening had cleared debris but that work on the pipe would likely continue until this morning.

The 16-inch main supplies water to reservoirs on the North Shore, and the board was asking residents from Haleiwa to Turtle Bay to use water only for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene, he said.

The repair of the main break near the Surf N Sea shop in Haleiwa closed Kamehameha Highway in both directions at Lokoea Place.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and to use Joseph P. Leong Highway until the road is cleared. Honolulu police officers are at the scene helping to direct traffic.

Two businesses were left without water and closed for the day.