Lawmakers and representatives from state and county agencies were given a first-hand look at heavily damaged Kolekole Pass Road  as part of the Navy’s attempt to work with government agencies to find funds to restore the important emergency evacuation route.

The Navy closed the road in January after heavy rains and rock slides rendered it unsafe for vehicular travel.

Capt. Richard Kitchens, commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, hosted the group Saturday and emphasized the need for major repairs, particularly to the roadway and embankment of an existing slide area. An engineering study completed last month provided recommendations for repairs to the landslide area and erosion control measures.

Attending the tour were state Rep. Karen Awana, Honolulu City Councilman Tom Berg and DOT director Wayne Yoshioka, as well as representatives from the Nanakuli Neighborhood Board, state Civil Defense and state Sen. Maile Shimabukuro’s office.

Kolekole Pass has served as an alternate route to Farrington Highway.