Mar 11, 2021
Mark Vaught of East Maui Irrigation Co. (from right), Shan Tsutsui of Mahi Pono and Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino visit the Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku on Tuesday following massive flooding. DLNR photos
The Maui News
State engineers and the owners of the Kaupakalua Dam won’t be able to fully assess the damage to the structure until flooding subsides and the reservoir empties out, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said Wednesday.
Officials visited the dam on Tuesday, a day after torrential rains overflowed the dam, flooded roads and washed away bridges and homes.
“This dam is old, and we require it to stay dry, so that any water coming down the stream normally just washes through,” DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case said. “With more than 14 inches of rain in a very short period of time, the reservoir just filled up, and overtopped the dam and sent water rushing down the spillway. It will take awhile for all of that water to flow out.”