Two people — a 65-year-old man and an 11-year-old girl — were transported to a local trauma center Monday in serious condition after a motor vehicle crash on the Pali Highway involving a tractor-trailer and multiple vehicles.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said three ambulances with more than a half-dozen paramedics responded to the Castle junction intersection at Pali Highway and Kamehameha Highway. The Honolulu Fire Department also arrived at the scene at 1:18 p.m. with 22 firefighters aboard 5 units.

The city later issued a traffic alert advising motorists the Honolulu-bound lanes of the highway were being contra-flowed and to drive with caution.

After being treated at the scene, the man and girl were transported separately by ambulance to a local trauma center.

Another eight people were evaluated at the scene; all refused treatment.

Police shut down the Kailua-bound lanes of the Pali for about two hours while crews cleaned up the area. The highway reopened in both directions just before 3:30 p.m.