Department of Agriculture

For Immediate Release:  April 7, 2006 NR06-07

EMERGENCY WORK TO BEGIN AT KAILUA RESERVOIR

HONOLULU – Remedial work at the Kailua Reservoir is scheduled to begin on Monday (April 10) with equipment and manpower from the Hawaii National Guard (HING).  Yesterday, Adjutant General Robert Lee, Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture and engineers from HING and Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) visited the site to further assess the work that is necessary at the reservoir.

“My assessment is that the structural integrity of the Kailua Reservoir dam is not sound,” said Gen. Lee.  “The priority now is to make sure that the reservoir drains whenever it rains so the reservoir does not endanger residents downstream.”

As a temporary measure, engineers have decided to fill in and cap the sinkhole, which is located on the crest of the dam.  HING will be providing the equipment and 30 troops to conduct the necessary work.  In addition, they will determine a suitable site to create a controlled breach which will serve as an additional outlet so the reservoir does not retain water.

The state will also be requesting the assistance of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to plan and conduct any downstream amendments that may be necessary in conjunction with the work at the reservoir.

“We truly appreciate the leadership and assistance from General Lee and his staff,” said Kunimoto.  “The National Guard’s expertise and ability to mobilize quickly has been critical in addressing the immediate and long-term safety issues at the reservoir.”

 Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NRCS and State Department of Land and Natural Resources have also been working extensively with HDOA.

Yesterday, Kunimoto testified before the state legislature and requested $2.5 million to cover the cost of the necessary work at Kailua Reservoir.

The Kailua Reservoir was constructed in the 1930’s as an irrigation reservoir.  It was decommissioned in 1993.

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For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560