Hawaii’s Aging Wahiawa Dam to be State-Owned Amidst Flood Fears
A century-old dam in Hawaii, which recently prompted mass evacuations due to dangerously high water levels and the threat of catastrophic failure, is set to be transferred to state ownership. The decision comes after heavy rains tested the integrity of the earthen structure, raising significant concerns for thousands of residents in the affected areas.
The State Land Board officially voted on Friday to acquire the land parcels encompassing the Wahiawa Dam from Dole Food Co. This crucial step paves the way for the state to assume control of the aging infrastructure and commit to a substantial investment of at least $20 million for essential repairs and an expansion of the dam’s spillway.
The Wahiawa Dam, originally constructed in 1906, was an instrumental part of the Waialua Agricultural Co.’s efforts to boost sugar production. This company eventually became a subsidiary of Dole Food Co. The dam has a history of structural challenges, having undergone reconstruction after a collapse in 1921. Its classification as a “high hazard” dam by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources underscores the severe risk its failure would pose, with the potential for fatal consequences.
Community Relief and Lingering Concerns
For residents like Kathleen Pahinui, a neighbourhood board chairperson, the recent heavy rains brought a palpable sense of anxiety. Just last week, she was among the 5,500 individuals ordered to evacuate from communities on Oahu’s famed North Shore, a region renowned for its legendary big-wave surfing. While evacuation orders were lifted on Saturday as water levels subsided, the fear of a dam breach during substantial rainfall remains a significant concern for many.
Pahinui expressed that state control of the dam has long been a desired outcome, supported by various stakeholders including the governor’s office, lawmakers, local residents, and farmers. Consequently, Friday’s vote was viewed as a welcomed, albeit anticipated, development. Her testimony, along with that of a farming advocate highlighting the dam’s agricultural importance and a resident urging swift action, contributed to the board’s decision.
While state ownership is seen as a vital step towards community reassurance, residents are committed to closely monitoring the progress of repairs and improvements.
The Impact of Severe Weather
The recent storm unleashed a torrent of rain, rapidly increasing water levels and exacerbating the saturated ground conditions from previous downpours. Governor Josh Green estimated the total cost of the storm’s damage could exceed $1 billion, impacting critical infrastructure such as airports, schools, roads, homes, and even a hospital on Maui. He described the event as the state’s most severe flooding incident since 2004.
The aftermath of the deluge has left a trail of destruction, with thick mud inundating homes and raging waters displacing houses and vehicles. Pahinui noted that the cleanup and recovery efforts could potentially take years.
A History of Deficiencies and Dole’s Position
Records indicate that the state had issued Dole Food Co. four notices of deficiency regarding the dam since 2009. Five years ago, the company was fined $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies within the stipulated timeframe.
Jared Gale, Dole’s Chief Legal Officer, addressed the land board, asserting that the fines were related to missed deadlines for submitting paperwork and not a reflection of inadequate maintenance. He maintained that Dole has consistently upheld a high standard of care in maintaining the dam and spillway over the years.
Dole had previously proposed donating the dam, reservoir, and associated ditch system to the state. This offer was contingent on the state agreeing to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.
Reservations and the Path Forward
During the proceedings, board member Wesley “Kaiwi” Yoon voiced reservations about the proposed deal. He questioned the state’s capacity to absorb the associated costs and raised concerns about Dole’s historical practices, particularly those related to plantation-era colonization.
“If the state is going to endure this and partner with Dole, who again has a checkered past and issue with its Native community and what it’s done to aina over time, it’s very difficult to be so nonchalant about this issue,” Yoon stated, referencing the Hawaiian word for “land.” Ultimately, Yoon was the sole board member to vote against the land acquisition.
Trisha Kehaulani Watson-Sproat, a Dole consultant and Native Hawaiian who grew up in the vicinity of the dam, offered a different perspective. She informed the board that she believes state ownership represents the “best way forward,” contrasting it with the alternative of Dole decommissioning the dam. Watson-Sproat described the transition as a form of “decolonizing of this watershed system.”
