Waterline Breaks Upcountry, Customers Urged to Conserve Water

Upcountry Maui flooding. Photo courtesy: Vanessa Ghantous.

By Wendy Osher

Update: 7:51 a.m. 2/22/13)

Crews from the Maui Department of Water Supply continue work to fix a waterline that was washed out during heavy rains in Upcountry Maui on Thursday.

DWS officials say a temporary bypass is being constructed until the 12-inch line can be replaced.

Officials anticipate that water will be restored to affected customers by around 5:30 p.m. today, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013.

Customers may want to flush their lines if necessary at that time.

In the interim, a potable water tanker is available on Kokomo Road, at a vacant lot between Hoolea and Puuomalei Roads.

The following areas are affected by the broken waterline and are asked to conserve water for the remainder of the day while lines are being fixed:

Haiku:  Kailiili Road – no water; Upper section of Kokomo Road – very low pressure; Hoolea Place – very low pressure; Puuomalei Road – very low pressure; and Upper section of Kaupakalua Road – very low pressure.

Makawao:  Piiholo Road – very low pressure; and Waiahiwi Road – no water.

(Posted: 9:24 p.m. 2/21/13)

Water customers in Upcountry, Maui are being urged to conserve water following a waterline break caused by heavy rains earlier today.

Jacky Takakura, Administrative Officer for the Maui Department of Water Supply said the 12-inch waterline washed out during the heavy rains in the area.

The following locations have no water or very low water pressure:

• HAIKU: Kailiili Road; Upper section of Kokomo Road; Hoolea Place; Puuomalei Road; and the Upper section of Kaupakalua Road
• MAKAWAO: Piiholo Road and Waihili Road.

Department of Water Supply personnel are currently working on repairing the transmission line; however, because of dangerous conditions there is no estimate at this time as to when water service will be restored.

A water tanker will be placed near the intersection of Kokomo and Kaupakalua Roads for customers to fill up their own containers with potable water.

Customers in the Haiku and Makawao areas are urged to conserve water until tomorrow, and should only call the service line, (808) 270-7633, in the event of a water emergency.