Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release October 29, 2014 

INSTREAM MEASUREMENTS CONTINUE ON MAUI
Na Wai Eha Stream Monitoring Update 

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management (“Commission”) is overseeing implementation of the Na Wai ‘Ehâ Interim Instream Flow Standards (“Instream Flow”) established by the April 17, 2014 Order and Agreement among the Parties. Under the Agreement, the ‘Îao Instream Flow is 10 million gallons per day (“mgd”) (measured just below the Wailuku Water Company diversion). The Instream Flow for Iao stream at or near the mouth of the ‘Îao stream (by the ocean) is 5 mgd. The Instream Flow for Waikapû Stream (measured below the South Waikapû Ditch diversion) is 2.9 mgd. The previously established Instream Flows for Waihe‘e (10 mgd), North Waiehu (1.0 mgd), and South Waiehu streams remain the same.

The Commission continues to work with Wailuku Water Company, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, and the Parties to establish stream flow monitoring gages on ‘Îao Stream at Kepaniwai Park and on Waikapû Stream at the 600 foot elevation level. Staff plates are in place at these sites. The plates allow visual monitoring of stream levels. Within two months, the Commission staff will install data loggers to provide continuous monitoring of the stream level at these locations. 

A second ‘Îao monitoring site will be installed near the mouth of ‘Îao Stream, once an appropriate staging site is identified, with a staff plate, data logger, and the development of a calibrated rating curve. 

In September and October, Commission staff measured stream flows on ‘Îao and Waikapû Streams (see tables below). After a number of adjustments, the Instream Flows for both ‘Îao and Waikapû Streams are now being met.

The Commission staff will continue to take measurements and monitor the condition of the streams to ensure that the terms of the April 17, 2014 Agreement are met.

‘Īao Stream at the Instream Flow Site (Kepaniwai Park)
		Height	Flow	Flow
Date	Time	(ft)	(cfs)	(mgd)
09/03/14	15:10	0.86	9.07	5.86
09/04/14	8:16	0.86	7.9	5.11
09/04/14	13:15	0.85	8.23	5.32
09/24/14	17:49	0.83	5.63	3.64
09/25/14	17:00	1.61	37.68	24.35
10/06/14	17:47	0.43	0.7	0.45
10/13/14	16:55	0.89	8.46	5.47
10/14/14	17:05	1.01	10.96	7.09
10/23/14	10:10	1.35	24.91	16.1
Waikapu at the Instream Flow Site (600 foot elevation)
		Height	Flow	Flow
Date	Time	(ft)	(cfs)	(mgd)
09/03/14	15:08	0.81	3.11	2.01
09/04/14	10:36	0.8	3.57	2.31
09/04/14	14:09	0.81	3.46	2.24
09/24/14	16:41	0.88	4.39	2.84
10/06/14	17:04	0.86	4.74	3.06
10/13/14	18:01	0.84	3.86	2.5
10/14/14	15:55	0.88	4.67	3.02
10/23/14	9:02	0.91	6.16	3.98

Contact the Hawaii Water Commission for further information 
(ph 808-587-0214).

 

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Dan Dennison                                 
Senior Communications Manager                 
Office of the Chair
Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 130 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 

Tel    808-587-0407 
Cell   808-295-8749 
Fax   808-587-0390 
[email protected]