Kauaʻi announces Phase Two of Hanalei water line upgrades, work to begin in January
Kauaʻi County Department of Water officials told the Hanalei community this week that Phase Two of the $3.1 million Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project will begin in January and is expected to last roughly 800 days. The work will replace aging mains, increase fire flow capacity, and could bring intermittent water service interruptions, lane closures, noise, vibration and dust to affected neighborhoods.
On Nov. 19 county water officials met with residents in Hanalei to outline the next phase of a multiyear effort to replace aging water infrastructure. Phase Two of the $3.1 million Hanalei Water Line Improvements Project is slated to begin in January and is expected to continue for about 800 days. County engineers said the upgrades are intended to bring the system into compliance with current standards and to improve fire flow capacity for public safety.
The work will upgrade roughly 3,000 feet of distribution line, mostly to 8 inch C900 PVC pipe, along Weke Road from ʻAnae Road to Mālolo Road, as well as on ʻAnae Road, Heʻe Road and Mahimahi Road. The scope includes replacement of fire hydrants and laterals where necessary, and full repaving of roads impacted by excavation. Officials provided maps at the meeting to show staging areas and the sequence of construction.
County engineering staff described scheduling and community outreach steps designed to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses. Those plans include targeted notifications to affected properties, coordination with emergency services to preserve response routes, and phased work that seeks to avoid widespread simultaneous outages. Despite those efforts, officials warned that intermittent water service interruptions will be possible, and that the community should anticipate lane closures, construction related noise, vibration and dust during the work.
Cultural and archaeological sensitivity was a central topic at the meeting. Archaeologists will monitor excavations near identified sensitive sites, including an area adjacent to Aloha School that was previously used as a cemetery. Monitoring will guide construction methods and any required treatment of cultural resources, reflecting county obligations to protect heritage sites and comply with state preservation laws.
For Hanalei residents the project carries both immediate costs and long term benefits. Short term impacts will affect daily routines, local traffic patterns and small businesses that rely on steady water service and visitor access. Over the longer term the upgraded mains are intended to reduce leak risk, support firefighting, and lower maintenance costs for the County Department of Water.
The meeting on Nov. 19 served as an opportunity for community members to review maps and ask questions about timing and mitigation. County staff signaled that outreach will continue as crews prepare to mobilize in January, and that updates will be provided to keep households and businesses informed as the work progresses. The project ties local infrastructure needs to broader goals of safety, resilience and stewardship of culturally significant places in Hanalei.
