Workers rappel down the face of a cliff at Alelele Point during slope scaling work by Prometheus Construction Inc. earlier this week. Crews are removing loose or potentially unstable rocks and debris. MAUI COUNTY photos
Emergency slope scaling and rock debris removal in East Maui began on Sunday at the rural Alelele Point area where less than a mile of county roadway has been closed since May 10 as increased rockfall made passage through the area unsafe, the county said in a news release Wednesday.
About 150 cubic yards of rock and soil debris were removed in the first three days of the $1.5 million project by Maui County contractor Prometheus Construction Inc.
Crew members are working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Approximately 1,500 tons of rock debris must be removed over about 5 acres.
The slope scaling work is anticipated to last three weeks and safety conditions will be assessed at that time, the county said.
A rock tumbles down the cliffside during slope scaling work at Alelele Point earlier this week. MAUI COUNTY photos
The rural county road connects Kipahulu and Kaupo. The closed portion is between Mile Markers 38 and 39.
Drivers may still access Kipahulu Visitor Center and other portions of Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District, along with Kipahulu small businesses.
Retail and restaurant businesses remain accessible through Kanaio, where roadside Bully’s Burgers is operating, to Kaupo.
Contractor crew members are rappelling along the slope, which extends nearly 300 feet high, to remove debris of silt-sand, gravel and boulders that are as large as 4 feet in diameter.
Large machinery is being used to assist with scaling and general rock removal.
Temporary netting and other barriers are being used to protect the roadway and telephone poles with phone service lines.
The debris is being removed manually or mechanically or by other nonexplosive methods, the county said.
A rock tumbles down the cliffside during slope scaling work at Alelele Point earlier this week. MAUI COUNTY photos 
Workers rappel down the face of a cliff at Alelele Point during slope scaling work by Prometheus Construction Inc. earlier this week. Crews are removing loose or potentially unstable rocks and debris. MAUI COUNTY photosToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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