Updated at 7:18 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2007
One year after Kaloko Dam breach, state revisits needs
Advertiser Staff
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Kaloko Dam break on Kaua'i that killed seven people, state officials will be holding a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today to discuss efforts to upgrade the state's dam safety program.The meeting will be held in the Executive Chamber at the state Capitol.
Hawai'i's dams came under fire following the Kaloko Dam breach, but the poor state of Hawai'i's dams was documented months earlier by The Advertiser following an overall "D" grade given by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In October 2005, The Advertiser reported at least 22 dams have deficiencies that raise safety concerns and 20 of those are among 77 classified as "high hazard," a category that includes dams whose failures would cause loss of life and significant property damage.
Among the dams that need upgrading are the Nu'uanu Dam above the Pali and dams above Waialua and Hale'iwa.
