The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has teamed up with contractor Kaikor Construction Group, Inc. to perform crucial repairs and upgrades on the Nānākuli Flood Channel. These improvements include restoration of Concrete Rubble Mortar (CRM) walls, concrete crack and spall repairs, debris clearance from the channel floor, and fence repair and replacement along the channel. According to a DHHL announcement, the expected construction work is set to begin imminently, with a view to bolster the channel's integrity and functionality.
Residents within the project's boundaries—which extend from Haleakalā Avenue's northern reaches, through Mokiawe Street and Ulei Loop, and back to Haleakalā Avenue to the south, as well as along a drainage easement intersecting Mano Avenue, Kauwahi Avenue, and Kawao Avenue—will notice construction activity ramping up starting August 18. Mobilization will kick off the project, followed by installation of Best Management Practices (BMP) to minimize environmental impact, such as erosion, sediment and stormwater consequences of the construction.
The construction timetable provided by DHHL details several phases, starting with mobilization of equipment and safety preparations on-site starting August 18. BMP Installation will take place from August 19 to the 22, followed by the project layout which spans from August 25 to September 15. The repair work is then slated to commence on September 26th, tackling the channel starting with its first segment. Residents should brace for the usual buzz of activity and the hum of machinery that this type of work brings. Nānākuli locals can expect to spot Kaikor Construction workers as well as DHHL’s construction management consultant, Hawaiʻi Engineering Group staff, near the flood channel and easements during the weekdays between 8:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Work on this project is crucial to maintaining the stability and effectiveness of the flood control system, particularly considering the potential for severe weather episodes. Acknowledging the impact on local residents, DHHL promises an additional mail out that will be sent to those living adjacent to the drainage channel laterals with more details to help prepare them for the upcoming work. For any questions or concerns, Project Manager Bladimir Gonzalez is the point of contact and can be reached at (808) 730-0327 or via email at [email protected], as stated in the official communication by DHHL.
