GROUNDBREAKING NEARS FOR LAHAINA WATERSHED FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

Groundbreaking for the Lahaina Flood Control Project begins in just six weeks, with flood protection to extend from Lahainaluna Road to Puamana.  The project is designed to provide a 100-year level of flood protection with water to be released at Makila Point through the Kauaula Stream and at Launiupoko.  Permit approvals have been obtained for the $6.26 million Phase 1 of the project.

A public informational meeting will be held tonight (Wednesday, September 16, 2009) to discuss the impacts and overview of the project.  That meeting runs from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center.

File image

The Lahaina Watershed Flood Control Project is a federal-local partnership involving the County of Maui, the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Once completed, the project will provide flood protection to businesses and residences in the Lahaina town area through a system of waterways to intercept and divert floodwater.  A series of sediment basins are also designed to trap rocks and sand to reduce sediment discharge into the ocean. Floodwater will be released into the ocean at two locations to reduce the concentration of floodwater impacts to the reefs.

The informational meeting will include an overview of the project and a discussion of the upcoming construction activity and its impacts on traffic, shoreline and ocean areas, and environmental and community resources. The community is encouraged to ask questions and provide comments at the meeting, which will be facilitated by County of Maui Department of Public Works staff and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The contractor, Kiewit Pacific Co., has received the permit approvals required for the start of construction.  Phase 1 of the project will be the installation of the outlet structure, highway culvert, and sediment basin at Launiupoko, two-thirds of a mile south of Kauaula Stream.

(Posted by Wendy Osher;  information provided by the County of Maui)