Posted on: Monday, July 12, 2004

Underground obstacles delays Kailua sewer work

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — Underground obstacles have delayed a $17 million sewer reconstruction project on Kalaheo Avenue and the city is negotiating with the contractor for a time extension that could push back the completion date to the end of the year.

The project to replace 4,300 feet of pipe from Kainui Drive to Dune Circle was to be completed in March.

But the city had very little to say about the cause for the delay or about the negotiations, and the Kailua Neighborhood Board said it is in the dark.

"We keep asking and trying to get information," said Kathy Bryant-Hunter, Kailua board chairwoman. "They were at our meeting last week and acknowledged the delay and said they were working with the contractor in trying to figure out how to expedite the project."

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the city Department of Design and Construction is negotiating with the contractor, which wants an extension for the first of two phases of the project.

"All I can say at this point is that underground obstacles have been encountered in drilling for the sewer line, which have caused the delay," Costa said. "Until the negotiations are complete, we will not have a new completion date or any idea if there will be additional costs to the city."

The second phase is from Dune Circle to Kailua Road, Costa said.

This project has suffered other delays. It had been under way for two months in 2000 when the contractor ran into solid coral and couldn't proceed. A new contractor was eventually hired three years later, but now seems to have similar problems.

Residents are not complaining to the board or the city, and Bryant-Hunter said she thinks they are resigned to the fact that the project is moving slowly.

She also thinks the traffic plan put in place at the start of the project is working to keep vehicles moving and stress levels down.

"Police have been doing a really good job at the peak hours getting cars through Kainalu (the road where traffic is diverted to)," she said.

The board was told that the earliest this phase of the project would be completed is the end of the year, Bryant-Hunter said. When explaining the problem to the board, the contractor and the city said metal left in the soil 50 years ago when the sewer was installed is breaking drill bits, Bryant-Hunter said.

Some of the reasons given for the delay seem legitimate while others seem not to be, she said.

"At this point all we're hoping is what ever they're trying to do, the intent is to expedite the process and as quickly as possible consolidate what's left of Phase I with Phase II and try to get both of those pieces finished concurrently."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.