kcerizo@mauinews.com
Muddy water overtopping intact Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku cascades in a waterfall to the gulch below Tuesday morning. According to a state report, the structure was in âunsatisfactoryâ overall condition before the flood hit, and a plan was underway to remove the dam this summer. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
HAIKU In a matter of hours Monday, Mark Alexander watched floodwaters begin to swallow up his home, vehicles, refrigerator, tools, mower and other belongings in Haiku.
He was able to save the family dog, Legend, who was rescued from a rooftop and taken to the vet where he was treated for fluid in the lungs, according to Alexander’s sister, Elena Alexander Nishizaki.
Mar 8, 2021
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for areas of Haiku and Pauwela downstream of the Kaupakalua Dam.
Maui County warned that residents evacuating their homes due to flooding in the Haiku area should not return until it is safe.
Residents have been stranded after heavy rains and flash flooding crested the Kaupakalua Reservoir and Dam and Haiku, sending fast-flowing floodwaters across roads and heavily damaging or destroying half a dozen homes, the county said.
Authorities have told everyone in the vicinity of Kaupakalua Dam and makai of Kaupakalua Road to leave the area immediately, as well as people near heavily flowing streams.