What is normally a laid-back oceanfront hangout in Kīhei turned into a fenced-off mess on Thursday, after a mechanical failure at a county wastewater pump station sent raw sewage across parts of Kalama Park and into nearby properties, officials said. Barriers and caution tape went up around sections of the park while crews checked how far the contamination spread and started repairs. County officials also urged South Maui residents to cut back on household water use until the system is stable again.
County: Pump station force main failed at Kalama Park
The trouble started around 7:30 a.m. at Kīhei Wastewater Pump Station No. 6 inside Kalama Park and was traced to a mechanical failure in the station's force main, according to the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management. The Department of Parks and Recreation shut down affected portions of the park, including parking areas and courts, and asked people to steer clear of the site while crews got to work.
Scale of the spill and cleanup
An updated notice, reported by Maui Now, put the failure between roughly 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and estimated that about 202,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed. Officials said the spill did not reach storm drains or the ocean, and that standing sewage in affected areas was cleaned and sanitized by early afternoon, although the park cordon stayed in place.
South Maui urged to curb water use while repairs continue
With repairs to Pump Station No. 6 expected to continue through Friday afternoon, the county asked properties tied into the South Maui sewer system, including Sugar Beach, Kīhei, Wailea and Makena, to eliminate or minimize toilet flushing, bathing, laundry and dishwashing in order to limit how much raw wastewater is running through the network, according to the County of Maui. The Department of Environmental Management said crews remained at the scene throughout the day, assessing damage and pushing ahead with repairs.
Not the first time this station has failed
This is not the first headache tied to the Kīhei No. 6 pump station. A county release in 2013 reported an overflow of roughly 21,875 gallons that flooded parts of South Kīhei Road and Kalama Park, triggering cleanup work and bacteriological testing, according to Maui Now. That earlier spill also required notification of the State Department of Health, a reminder of the public health stakes when sewer infrastructure fails in a coastal community.
What to watch for
Hawaii News Now outlined the county advisory and reported that crews were working to fix the station. Anyone worried about possible exposure or other health impacts is advised to contact the County Department of Environmental Management or keep an eye on official county notices for the latest updates.
