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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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| The following is an update of various activities by DLNR Divisions dealing with impacts of the recent storms. This is broken down by Division and County. Bob Masuda, DLNR Deputy Director, will continue to be on Kauai and assist in manning the Kauai Emergency Operation Center, as well as be a point of contact for DLNR on Kauai. Engineering: Kauai Five DLNR Engineering Division staff are on the island of Kauai. One Engineer has a main function of manning the Kauai Civil Defense Emergency Operation Center; he is also assisting with dam inspections and related activities, as needed. Four DLNR Engineers are teaming with representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps). DLNR - Army Corps teams and are working throughout the week and inspecting all dams and reservoirs on the island of Kauai. Inspection Teams covered 100% of the dams; they completed 54 out of 54 dams. (Note: The “master” count on reservoirs says 53, total; but Twin Reservoir should be counted as having two dams.) Teams will go to Morita and Ka Loko to re-confirm items in their inspection reports. The inspections are emergency assessment, not phase I or phase II inspections. The teams concluded there is no imminent danger from any. After inspections of the Kauai dams and reservoirs are completed, DLNR and Army Corps engineers will conduct inspections of all other dams and reservoirs statewide. US Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center worked to place remote real-time monitoring water level sensing devises at Ka Loko, Puu Ka Ele, Waita and Alexander Reservoirs. Three of four gages are installed. In addition, USGS is monitoring Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson, Oahu.) Ka Loko Reservoir near Kilauea (data online since 3/19/06) Alexander Reservoir: Another helicopter flyover will be done on Thursday, March 23, 2006, by a team of DLNR geologist, COE & USGS. USGS water level gauge re-located from Kapaia Reservoir to Alexander Reservoir. Gauge went dead so, USGS will work on it March 23, 2006. All data will be displayed on our public web page at: Oahu Assisted DOFAW in addressing Roundtop Drive and Manoa landslides. Hired geotechnical engineering firm on an emergency basis to assess both sites and to provide recommendations. Complaint received of erosion of Kaukonahua Stream bank in the area of Otake camp whereby streambank has eroded to within 10’ of a home. Concerned that with next big storm(s), streambank could erode away, house could fall in water, block bridge downstream and flood the entire Otake Camp area. Deployed engineer and land agent to assess the situation. Working on executing an agreement with the Corps of Engineers (COE) to continue statewide dam safety inspections after they have completed Kauai inspections. Deputy AG has been assigned. Maui and Big Island DLNR Engineers on each island remain on stand-by and in communication with local Civil Defense should inspections or other needs arise. State Parks: Oahu Kaluanui Stream in Sacred Falls State Park - Staff has contacted contractors, and will meet with them tomorrow to get bids to remove several large trees and the debris at the old cane haul bridge. Parks staff was able to get part way up the stream and found a tangle of branches at an old cane haul bridge, as well as several trees that have fallen or are falling into the stream. A large concrete support member under the bridge has been undermined and is leaning against the adjacent support. We are securing a contractor to clear the trees and branches, and will make an evaluation of the bridge condition when it is clear. Kahana - Staff is inspecting culverts in Kahana Valley and will seek contractor assistance for clean up if necessary.
Polihale Road - Staff is seeking bids to repair storm related damage. Work can't commence yet as the road is still flooded. Fern Grotto - The State Parks crew has repaired about 90% of the pier/landing which was destroyed at the Wailua River Fern Grotto. Work continues. Smith's Boats assisted by hauling a load of lumber up river. A very large volume of logs and debris washed into the area and still remains. We are seeking contractors to remove the debris. This effort is hampered since the two raft type barges which were in the park were destroyed in the flood. As the area is only accessible via the river, a new craft must be built or brought in to haul equipment up to the Fern Grotto, and remove the debris. Staff will now pursue getting a contractor to remove the vegetation and debris. The ADA contractor has inspected the damage to the new walkway and railing. The tours to the Fern Grotto have resumed as debris has been cleared from one of the walkways to the Grotto. A large volume of water and mud covers the right or return leg of the trail system. The water continues to flow into the valley from the spillway of the reservoir in the agricultural area above. We will evaluate the condition when the flow subsides. The new ADA walkway and handrail at the Fern Grotto has sustained damage, including settling of some footings, and will require repairs. Kauai staff is pursuing contractors to assist with road repair at Kokee, Waimea Canyon, and Polihale. Maui, Hawaii No significant storm related activities reported. Commission on Water Resource Management Kauai A geologist has been assisting Attorney General’s Office investigation team at Ka Loko Reservoir. Oahu, Maui and Big Island No significant storm related activities reported. Forestry and Wildlife Kauai Forestry and Wildlife staff on Kauai are transporting DLNR Engineers and Army Corps personnel as they make inspections of all dams and reservoirs on Kauai. In addition, Forestry staff is providing transportation for Senator Akaka who visited the area, yesterday. Oahu Round Top: Rock/debris slides reported at Tantalus. Its location is on Round Top Drive (in the vicinity of the landslide which occurred within the past 2 years) and resulted in slippage of approximately 300 cubic yards of material typical of the area, i.e. volcanic ash mixed with dirt and organic material. Bulk of the material was deposited along 100' section of the road; some of the material was transported down the road along the residential area by the swift runoff during the height of the rain storm. There also appears to be 2-3 large trees whose integrity may be in question because their root mass may have been damaged causing them to be under threat of falling. City and County of Honolulu road crew cleared the road (1 front end loader, 2-3 dump trucks, 1 water tender, 1 supervisory overhead) and manned the road block (civil defense workers and HPD). The landslide originated on State Land (Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve). Our "rapid area needs assessment" show the need for: 1) A Geologic Assessment, 2) Tree Hazard Assessment, and 3) Follow-up activities to stabilize the event. These functions were mobilized and DLNR addressed the issue based on various DLNR staff and consultant recommendations. Assessment Group completed their site visit. DOFAW scouts report: 1) Round Top - Trees not a threat; Root ball not showing; Not leaning towards road. Reports indicate this is not a landslide but extreme water run-off which carried volcanic ash and organic material down onto public road. The assessment group also confirmed no threat of trees falling. Manoa: County Civil Defense and State Civil Defense reported that early yesterday morning rock/debris slide hit a house in Manoa, Oahu. DLNR personnel responded. Two residences affected. Appears that stream overflow came down the mountain and onto their property. Preliminary findings show possibility that additional run-off is from culvert on Round Top Drive but will need to confirm by tracing stream flow. DLNR will temporarily place water-filled barriers provided by Engineering. DOFAW Crew will trench and provide additional sand bag barrier. The emplacement of the sandbags will be directed by engineering consultants. A separate group DLNR, and consultants, will investigate the flow of water from Round Top to the Manoa site and also check for loose boulders. Maui and Big Island No significant storm related activities reported. Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands Kauai DLNR had a report of a collapsed flume that transports water from a reservoir (part of the Alexander Dam system) servicing Kauai Coffee; so the flume is basically blocked. DLNR granted authorization to A&B to repair irrigation ditch at Alexander Dam. Oahu, Maui and Big Island No significant storm related activities reported. Boating and Ocean Recreation Kauai The Waikaea canal is now shallower than before at the ocean side of the bridge due to soil deposited by the storm and silt has moved towards the ramp. Waikaea (Kapaa) stream has gotten worse as the flooding went down the southern channel and that "pushed" silt up and into the northern channel where the boat ramp is located. Worse case scenario estimated at this time is that after all the rain and flooding has subsided, the Waikaea ramp will be unusable. We are part way through the planning phase of a dredging project for that site and it may be possible to push for quicker action. Oahu No significant storm related activities reported. Big Island Water flowing from Wailoa River forced out some (approximately 4 feet in some places) of the accumulated sand and mud that was partially blocking the channel entrance to Wailoa Small Boat facility. There is evidence that the silt was relocated to an area that may post a navigational hazard. Boating crew is looking into this. Maui No significant storm related activities reported. Land Kauai: Ownership of Ka Loko and Morita dams and reservoirs: Staff continues to conduct an historical abstract of title of all owners, past and present, of the Kaloko and Morita Dams; preliminary indications shows ownership of the land being no different than the Dam--all in private parties, and currently titled to Lucas/Pflueger. Thus, his review shows Kaloko Dam ownership being with Lucas/Pflueger. Land Division has not located any record of unrecorded documents noting ownership of the Dam by the State. Kealia Stream: Kealia Stream was about 15 to 20 feet above it's normal level and eroded a private property located adjacent to the stream, to a point that it's is about 10 to 15 feet from the home. The Kauai Land Agent was told that because of the build-up of the stream bank across from his property, during the storm the stream force went directly into the bank of his property and caused the erosion. Kauai Staff will be seeking assistance from the Kauai EOC. Kee Beach: State Parks personnel informed the Kauai Land Agent of an erosion problem at Kee Beach in Haena and the end of the Highway which is unencumbered State Lands. The erosion was cause by the run off of rain water off the road and surrounding area creating ditches about 4 to 6 feet deep and pose a hazard to the public. Oahu: Wahiawa Complaints: Land division responded to a complaint in Wahiawa, Kemoo by the Lake, of branches and tree debris falling on vehicles in Kemoo by the Lake Condominium. Land Agent conducted inspection of area to assess damage. Waipahu Cultural Center: Land division received a complaint from taro farmer in Waipahu Cultural Center concerning debris in alleged State-owned drainage canal makai of the taro fields. Land Agent is currently attempting to contact the people in the houselots next to this drainage ditch who are using the side of this ditch for growing vegetables to require removal of any boards or sheet metal that would stop flowage. Maui, Molokai & Lanai, Hawaii No significant storm related activities reported. Enforcement Kauai
Oahu Continued close liaison with State Civil Defense. Maui County, Hawaii
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