City engineer Eldon Franklin, who works for the city Department of Design and Construction, said the small spill occurred on the mauka side of the canal near Ala Wai Elementary School. He said most of the wastewater was safely transferred in the pipe, which connects to a pumping station that eventually sends the sewage to the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Franklin said the city called canoe clubs that paddle in the canal and posted warning signs to encourage people to stay out of the canal for a few days. He said water samples have been taken and the state Department of Health notified.

Another crack in the 42-year-old sewer main in Waikiki prompted the city to begin using the canal bypass pipe yesterday, a few weeks earlier than had been anticipated, Franklin said.