21,527 Gallons of Sewage Overflows in Kīhei

Hazmat truck, file image by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 3:58 p.m. 11/18/2013)

A total of 21,527 gallons of wastewater spilled along South Kīhei Road and Halama Street on Monday morning, with a portion entering storm drains at the Welakahao and Auhana Street intersections.

Officials with the Maui County Department of Environmental Management say bacteriological analyses were conducted, and signs were posted; however, the department is confident that the overflow did not reach the ocean, and there were no beach closures as a result.

Department officials say the overflow was caused by clogged pumps at the Kihei #6 Pump Station, located in the vicinity of Kalama Park.

County officials say the overflow was reported at 7:45 a.m. and was stopped by 9:08 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013.

Crews say pumps were unclogged, standing water was removed, and spill sites were disinfected.  The state Department of Health was also notified of the incident.

The incident comes just three weeks after a separate overflow reported on Oct. 25, in which 21,875 gallons overflowed as a result of a mechanical failure at the same pump facility.

(Posted: Monday, Nov. 18, 2013)

A portion of South Kīhei Road was closed at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, following reports of sewage overflowing from the manhole near the Kīhei Baptist Church.

Maui police closed South Kīhei Road from Welakahao, extending south to Kahele Street, while hazmat and fire personnel clean the area near 1655 South Kīhei Road, and water crews work to resolve the situation.

Crews were also responding to additional reports of sewage coming from manholes along South Kīhei Road at: Keala Place near Kalama Park; near the Island Surf building further to the south; and at the Halama Street/Waimāhaʻihaʻi intersection.

A portion of South Kīhei Road was closed for about three hours while crews worked to clean and mitigate the spill.