More sewer work set for Kailua
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
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KAILUA — The city is gearing up for four sewer-repair projects, including a $31 million reconstruction effort along a thoroughfare between Kailua's center and Enchanted Lake.
For almost a decade, some part of Kailua's sewer system has been under repair with the city fixing lines on a planned or emergency basis. Along Kalaheo Avenue, sewer-rehabilitation work, which for years was plagued with problems ranging from unexpected ground conditions to sewer breaks, is now wrapping up.
In 1999, the Kalaheo Avenue Reconstructed Sewer project, which also includes a stretch of Mokapu Boulevard to the Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant that runs through the 'Aikahi subdivision, was slated for completion in three years. The cost in 1999 was $36 million, but setbacks pushed the final cost to more than $74 million.
In addition, construction work brought complaints of dust, damage to property and delays.
Such snags are leaving some residents wary about the new set of projects, the first of which is set to get under way in February.
"We're worried about it because it's taken them 10 years to do Kalaheo," said David Rosen, whose street is scheduled for a sewer project next year. "We're hoping the same thing doesn't happen to us."
City officials said they've learned from the problems tied to the Kalaheo Avenue project and made changes.
"Our (construction) documents have gotten better and we're procuring ... more qualified people," said Guy Inouye, with the city Department of Design and Construction.
The new set of projects, each slated to begin next year, include:
Eldon Franklin, the city's wastewater division chief, said the Wana'ao Road project — the most expensive of the bunch — will be especially challenging for contractors. "I think the word is out that that's a difficult area. So, I don't think they'll get people who think they can go in there and low-bid it and come out ahead," Franklin said.
The Kailua Neighborhood Board has several concerns with the upcoming sewer projects, said Kathy Bryant-Hunter, board chairwoman. She noted that residents want city officials to maintain communication with residents, establish traffic plans, verify contractors' qualifications, and keep noise and odor to a minimum.
City officials said there are traffic plans for each of its projects, and a 24-hour hot line will be set up to address pressing concerns.
The neighborhood board wants the city to install a bypass in advance of Wana'ao project work as a means to avoid the kind of sewage spill Waikiki experienced this year. In March, the city pumped 48 million gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal rather than risk sewage backing up into the homes, hotels and businesses nearby after a main broke in March.
With the rainy season comes the threat of sewage spills, so installing the bypass now is prudent, Bryant-Hunter said.
"From a community perspective, it makes tons of sense, and from a cost perspective, it's probably a very good preventative measure," she said.
Before work on the sewer projects, totaling more than $37.2 million, gets under way, the city intends to finish upgrades tied to the Kalaheo Avenue project. This week, a section of Kalaheo Avenue from Mokapu Boulevard to Kainui Drive is being repaved. A final piece of the project will be completed in about one month when the city connects the lines at the intersection of Kailua Road and South Kalaheo Avenue.
The Board of Water Supply, meanwhile, is continuing to install new water pipes along the avenue. After that work is completed this fall, the remainder of the paving work will be done.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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