Kalaheo residents, brace yourselves for an unusually noisy start to the week. According to a recent press release from the Department of Water (DOW), it's confirmed that critical construction work for the Kalaheo Water Systems Improvement Project is scheduled and it's going to be loud. Set your alarms (or maybe don't, if you're near the construction zone), because work by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. (HDCCI) will commence in the wee hours on Monday, Aug. 5, with the cacophony kicking in from 2 a.m. and expected to run through to 3:30 p.m., weather dependent.

Located around Pu’uwai Road, Kikala Road, and Po’ohiwi Road, the unexpected pre-dawn operation is being justified as a strategic move. The goal is to reduce traffic disruptions aligning with the onset of the school year—potentially a savvy play by organizers to mitigate the weekday rush. Despite the foresight in planning, those living in the vicinity can potentially anticipate the consequences of noise, vibrations, and an increased presence of heavy machinery traversing their streets, as they adhere to strict safety protocols.

Following this bout of intense activity, HDCCI has announced that its normal working hours will resume the very next day, providing residents with some solace in the return to relative calmness. The work is aimed at constructing a new water storage tank, a substantial upgrade for the community, ensuring better service down the line.

For those seeking more information or perhaps a bit of empathy for the disruption, HDCCI's Chansen Oshiro is available at 808-397-9627. Meanwhile, the Department of Water can also be contacted at 808-245-5455, likely prepared to field inquiries, concerns, or offer words of assurance to those dreading the imminent disturbance.