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Blessing held for DOW Kalaheo Water Systems Improvements Project
KALAHEO – The Department of Water (DOW) and contractor, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc., held a blessing to commence the Kalaheo Water Systems Improvements Project on Wednesday, June 28.
“This has been a long-awaited project for the Kalaheo water system, and I am grateful to our staff, contractor and consultants for their commitment and hard work thus far,” said Joe Tait, DOW manager and chief engineer. “At the Department of Water, we are continuously focused on improving service reliability in areas of high demand for fire flow protection and in support of affordable housing.”
Funding for the $21.8 million Hawai'i Water Systems Improvements Project was provided by the State of Hawaii Legislative Appropriation ($10.2mil.), the State of Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant ($5.2mil.) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan ($7.4mil.).
“We would like to thank Senate President, Ron Kouchi and the House of Representatives, and the Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch for their assistance with the funding and support of this crucial project,” said Tait. “The grant and financing will allow us to leverage greater investments island wide so that our current customers and future generations alike will continue to enjoy safe, reliable water service.”
The Kalaheo Water System Improvements Project is the largest project in the DOW’s history and is part of a comprehensive long-range plan that identifies and addresses the need to upgrade aging infrastructure and conduct water system improvements island wide. The project will be conducted in three phases along a portion of Pu’uwai Road, Po’ohiwi Road and a portion of Kikala Road. Work will include the replacement of two (2) storage tanks, approximately 11,500 linear feet of water line, upgrades to water meter service connections, fire protection facilities and appurtenances and paving work. The project is estimated to be completed in 2025.
The construction work is being conducted by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. with engineering and construction management services by Bowers + Kubota Consulting, Inc.
DOW will communicate directly to customers in the service area about planned short-term service interruptions and traffic control implementation for the duration of the project. Notices will be sent via Kaua`i County Alerts and will be posted on the DOW’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KauaiDOW. Customers are encouraged to sign-up to receive Kaua`i County Alerts via Wireless Emergency Notification Service (WENS) by phone, email or text at www.kauai.gov/KEMA or call 808-245-5455. Other forms of service announcements are issued via news release, by mail or door to door notices.
For more information, please contact the Department of Water at 808-245-5461.
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Department of Water staff with Mayor Derek Kawakami (center, left) and DOW Manager and Chief Engineer, Joe Tait (center, right) stand in front of the more than 11,000 feet of 8-inch pipeline that will be installed as part of the Kalaheo Water Systems Improvements Project. |
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Personnel from multiple agencies; ranging from management to field crews, join hands during the Kalaheo Water Systems Improvements Project blessing ceremony led by Reverend Jade Wai’ale’ale-Battad.
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Left to right: Hawaiian Dredging and Construction, Inc.’s Vice President, Len Dempsey, Mayor Derek Kawakami and Department of Water’s Manager and Chief Engineer, Joe Tait performs the ceremonial “turning of the dirt” during the blessing ceremony to commence the Kalaheo Water Systems Improvement Project on June 28, 2023. |
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