County Schedules Hanalei Water Line Phase II Community Meeting
The Kaua‘i Department of Water will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Hanalei Elementary School to review Phase II of the Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project and gather community feedback. The project replaces aging mains to meet current standards and improve fire flow across several Hanalei roads, affecting local water reliability and emergency preparedness.
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The Kaua‘i Department of Water (DOW) has invited residents to a community meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Hanalei Elementary School to present Phase II of the Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project and solicit public input. The meeting is intended to review planned work and collect feedback from local homeowners, businesses, and other stakeholders who rely on Hanalei’s potable water system.
DOW officials framed the project as a necessary upgrade to replace aging mains and bring the distribution system into alignment with current standards, including improved fire flow capacity. Phase I of the project, which focused on Kūhiō Highway intersections, concluded in June 2025. Phase II will extend work to Weke Road (from ʻAnae Road to Mālolo Road), ʻAnae Road, Heʻe Road, and Mahimahi Road.
For residents, the improvements are likely to influence water reliability and emergency response capabilities. Replacing older mains typically reduces the risk of breaks and service interruptions, and enhanced fire flow can affect firefighting effectiveness and potentially public safety outcomes. The meeting offers an opportunity for community members to raise concerns, ask technical questions about construction impacts, and understand how the work will be phased in their neighborhood.
DOW is positioning the gathering as a forum for direct public feedback; the agency’s outreach material states staff will review the Phase II plan and collect community input. Attendees who require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Department of Water at 808‑245‑5455. Light refreshments will be provided at the event. Additional project information is available through the department’s website.
The local significance of the project extends beyond immediate construction impacts. Infrastructure modernization can influence long-term planning for development, insurance considerations, and emergency services coordination. Public participation at the Nov. 19 meeting gives residents a chance to shape operational details such as scheduling, traffic management during construction, and notification procedures for service interruptions, though formal project timelines beyond Phase I’s June 2025 completion were not detailed in the department’s public notice.
As Kaua‘i continues to address aging utilities, this session represents a routine but consequential step in balancing system upgrades with community priorities. Residents concerned about specific impacts or who cannot attend in person are advised to contact DOW directly for accommodations and further information.
