Maui site undergoing repairs

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — After 32 years, Maui's towering home for county government — the nine-story Kalana O Maui Building — is getting a face-lift.

For the last two years, chunks of concrete have been falling from the facade of Maui's tallest building, apparently at an increasing rate.

Maui County recently awarded a $676,144 contract to a firm that will fix the massive concrete exterior. The work is expected to continue through December.

County engineer Patrick Miyahira said the problem started roughly two years ago, prompting officials to cut off public access to the building's second-floor deck, a popular lunch and break spot for employees.

A consultant hired to study the situation found that steel reinforcement bars holding in place the cast and precast concrete facade were rusting, especially on the weathered windward side of the structure.

"Every time it rains it just gets worse," Miyahira said.

While the study found the building was in no danger of collapsing, the shower of concrete continued. Every week or so workers would clean the deck, finding a few more chunks, some as large as 3 inches by 1 inch, he said.

The study looked at various options, including the cost of relocating the county offices, but the repair job was deemed the most cost-effective, Miyahira said.

Kawika's Painting & Waterproofing is scheduled to work until Dec. 22 repairing cracks, reinforcing steel rebars, fixing metal railings and painting, among other things.

Sato & Associates, the Honolulu-based consultant that conducted the study, will supervise the work as part of a separate $107,000 contract.

Contact Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.