Governor to Tour ʻĪao Valley Flood Damage, Community Meeting Set

Governor to Tour ʻĪao Valley flood damage.

Due to growing concerns about future ʻĪao Valley flood events, the County of Maui is holding a community meeting for all affected residents on Thursday evening.

Prior to the meeting, Governor David Ige will tour the storm damage areas at the Wailuku River in ʻĪao on Maui.

Gubernatorial Visit to Flood Damaged Area:

The visit includes a meeting with Hawaiʻi National Guard members as well as community members affected by the disaster.

A news conference will follow on Thursday afternoon, with participation from: Governor Ige; Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa; Major General Arthur. J. Logan, State Adjutant General; and Vern Miyagi, Administrator Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency.

ʻĪao Valley community meeting to address flood concerns.

Community Meeting to Address Flood Concerns:

The community meeting later in the evening will discuss county repairs, emergency measures and future county actions. The meeting will take place at the Wailuku Gymnasium on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The following agencies will be in attendance to help answer questions from those in attendance: Mayor’s Office, Maui Civil Defense Agency, Department of Public Works, Department of Water Supply, Department of Parks & Recreation and the Department of Environmental Management.

Emergency Proclamations in Place:

Gov. Ige signed an emergency proclamation in the wake of heavy rains and flooding that caused extensive damage throughout the state especially the counties of Maui and Kalawao. The counties are expected to need rehabilitative assistance from the state to respond to the damage caused by the severe, sudden and extraordinary rains.

Kepaniwai, Mayor assessing damage with staff. PC: Lois Whitney/County of Maui.

In issuing the proclamation on Friday, Gov. Ige said, “The severe weather that struck the state this week caused heavy damage, and the state stands ready to support the counties in the recovery effort.”

The disaster emergency relief period began on September 13, 2016 and will be in place for 60 days.

Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an emergency proclamation on Wednesday, Sept. 14, following torrential flooding through ʻĪao Valley that knocked out a waterline, flooded several homes with mud and debris and destroyed a significant portion of the County’s Kepaniwai Park parking lot area.

Water Conservation Requests Remain in Place:

The request to conserve water remains in effect for Wailuku, Kahului and Lahaina.  The DWS continues to request that all consumers in the Wailuku and Kahului areas to conserve water because of damage to the ground water source at ʻĪao Tunnel and ʻĪao surface water treatment plant.  Both units combined normally produce up to 3 million gallons a day.

The DWS continues to request that all consumers in the Lahaina area to conserve water because of damage to the intake system for Lahaina surface water treatment plant.  Lahaina water treatment plant, which normally produces up to 3 mgd, has been operating on a reduced output of 1.7 mgd until repairs can be made later this week.