Improvements to North Kohala well starts in September

Improvements are scheduled to begin on ʻUpolu Well in North Kohala.

At a price tag of $5,754,610, the scope of work consists of installing a pump and piping for the existing ʻUpolu Well, constructing a new water storage tank, installing watermains, constructing an access road and installing perimeter fencing.

Agriculture users in the North Kohala area have not had a reliable and economical water source since the Kohala Ditch system was damaged in April 2021. The improvements will help provide agricultural water for the adjacent area and is the first step to preserving agriculture production in North Kohala.

Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye started pushing for funding in the state legislature in 2016.

“Improvements to the ʻUpolu Well to meet agricultural production standards are critical in ensuring the North Kohala region has a viable agricultural water source,” Inouye said. “Due to the loss of the ditch water in 2021, many agricultural users had to switch their water source to domestic water from the county’s water system which is much more expensive and cost prohibitive for their continued operations. Creating a new, affordable agricultural water source is the spark of hope the North Kohala agriculture community needs to reinvigorate the Big Island’s agricultural industry.”

Grading work is anticipated to start in September, pending approval of permits. Contracted by Isemoto Contracting Co., Ltd., the project is expected to last a year.