Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release October 7, 2016   

EMERGENCY WORK PROCEEDING FOR FLOOD DAMAGE
ON WAILUKU RIVER

(WAILUKU) – The Commission on Water Resource Management (Commission) staff confirmed today Wailuku Water Company, LLC (WWC) has provided notice WWC is proceeding with emergency work for the purpose of repairing and conducting stream maintenance activities (i.e., debris removal) to its ‘Īao Intake on Wailuku River pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 13-169-55.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, has also issued a Nationwide Permit Verification for the removal of boulders and debris from Wailuku River to provide access to and unblock the WWC intake structure.

The heavy rains and flooding in mid-September caused extensive damage to private homeowners, the County’s Kepaniwai Park, ‘Īao Valley State Park, and mauka watershed areas.  The stream channel was also altered considerably and some immediate efforts will need to be completed to protect private residences and public infrastructure.

The Wailuku River diversion supplies up to 3.2 million gallons per day to the Maui Department of Water Supply, along with WWC customers, agricultural and domestic users, and kuleana users for growing kalo.

The Maui Department of Water Supply will also be conducting repair work on a 12-inch waterline that was lost in the flood.  Water from a groundwater tunnel, adjacent to the WWC diversion, provides water directly to approximately 200 residents in ‘Īao Valley and an additional 1.5 million gallons per day to the County.  The work will involve heavy machinery in and along the stream channel, and helicopter work to move large equipment and supplies.

The Governor’s Emergency Proclamation, issued on September 16, 2016, suspended numerous State Statutes to provide for quick and efficient relief of the conditions created by the recent storm events.

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Media contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320