Kaua'i storm recovery continues

Advertiser Staff

NAWILIWILI, Kaua'i — Contractors at the Kaua'i Marriott Resort yesterday continued work on a series of sinkholes caused when a stormwater culvert failed on New Year's Day.

As much as 12 inches of rain fell on some parts of the island Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The heavy rainfall drove rivers and streams over their banks around the island, and caused localized flooding in many communities.

A large banyan and several coconut trees fell into one sinkhole; a car fell into another. One of the trees broke a sewer line that ran alongside the culvert. The wastewater mixed with rainwater that flowed into the bay.

Kalapaki Bay fronting the resort remained closed to swimming yesterday because of high contamination levels found in state Department of Health tests.