Phase II of Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project to start in January, last 800 days

The Kauaʻi County Department of Water hosted a community meeting on Wednesday to update residents on the next phase of the $3.1 million Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project, which aims to replace aging water mains and provide better water pressure for fighting fires.

Phase II of the project, which is funded by water service customers, is expected to begin in January and take 800 days to complete.

The work will affect Weke Road from ʻAnae Road to Mālolo Road, as well as ʻAnae, He‘e and Mahi Mahi roads, according to Jason Kagimoto, acting engineering division head with the water department.

Phase I of the project, which focused on the intersections of ‘Anae Road and Mahimahi Road along Kūhiō Highway, was completed in June with the county saying there were minimal disruptions to the neighborhood, such as noise, vibration and dust.

For Phase II, Kagimoto said 3,000 feet of upgraded water lines to meet current model stanards will be installed.

The new water pipes, which will be mostly C900 or PVC, are being upgraded to 8 inches from the current 2 to 2.5 inches. Kagimoto said having bigger pipes will help with the flow of water for fire suppression.

Phase II will also include replacing fire hydrants and laterals, as well as repaving the road.

At the intersection of Mahi Mahi Road and Kūhio Highway, where Aloha School now sits, the land served as a public cemetery before being formally purchased by the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1947.

An archaeologist will be on-site full-time to monitor the excavation in case burials or cultural deposits are discovered.

“The Department of Water will not excavate on the school’s property,” said Malia Reis,
the department’s public information officer.

“The department will be connecting to the school’s existing waterline,” she said.

Officials warn residents to expect possible water service interruptions, lane closures, and typical construction impacts such as noise and dust once work begins. 

Kagimoto acknowledge that there has been a lot of construction already going on in Hanalei “as far as the highway, the sidewalks, and everything like that. Ideally, over the next year or so, the town will have many nice roads and improved infrastructure.”

Project contractor Garett Ichimura with Koga Engineering & Construction and Kaua’i County Councilmember Felica Cowden were also present at the Wednesday meeting at the Hanalei Elementary School cafeteria.

A week before Phase II starts, Ichimura said: “We’ll put out a notification board, like an electronic board, just to give everyone a heads-up.”

Over the past four years, the Department of Water has contracted approximately $65 million in projects around the Garden Isle. They include: the Kalaheo Water System Improvements, $21.8 million; Kapa’a Homestead Tanks: $23.4 million; Weke Road Waterline: $3.1 million; Kilauea Wells 1 & 2 MCC: $3.55 millioin; Kūhio Highway (Hardy-Oxford) Main Replacement, $5 million; Hanapepe Tow Well MCC: $150,000; and Kapaʻa Homesteads Well No. 4 Pump and Controls, $7.7 million.

“The water department is deeply appreciated for their efforts to upgrade this waterline that has served Weke Road in Hanalei since 1920,” Cowden said. “The increase in water pressure is especially needed for effective fire-flow protection.”

“I know this project has been a long time in the making, and we appreciate you folks for your patience,” Kagimoto said.

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The water department also invited the public to explore its new, user-friendly website, where residents can access up-to-the-minute water updates, check water quality by area, and view service outages.