Water service in south Big Island communities plagued by damaged water lines, power outages from Lala

Water service has been restored to most Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply customers following Hurricane Lala. But severe damage to water lines and ongoing power outages continue to disrupt service in several South Hawaiʻi communities, water officials said Sunday.

The most serious problems are in and around Waiohinu, Nāʻālehu, Pāhala, Upper Mountain View, Hawi and Kaloko Mauka, where water officials are relying on generators, tankers and emergency water stations while crews assess and repair the system.

In Waiohinu, the department said aerial inspections on Saturday found water lines leading to water sources above the town were significantly damaged and cannot be salvaged. Officials have not determined how long permanent restoration will take.

No Hawaiian Electric power is available at any of the department’s Waiohinu sites. A potable water tanker is operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Discovery Harbor Clubhouse. Residents are being urged to use water only for essential drinking, cooking and hygiene needs.

The Nāʻālehu well is operating on generator power and is providing water to only a small portion of the system, roughly from the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji to Ace Hardware.

The department has issued a precautionary boil-water notice for Nāʻālehu customers who currently have water coming from their taps. The notice will remain in effect until officials complete a full system assessment, make needed repairs, and conduct water-quality testing.

A potable water tanker is available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in the Island Market parking lot across from Ace Hardware Emergency spigots are also available near the Assemblies of God church in Nāʻālehu.

Floodwaters severed a water line between Nāʻālehu Elementary School and Punaluʻu Bake Shop. The department repaired the line Friday and planned to begin testing it.

In South Point, crews are hauling water from Pāhala to the South Point tank. The tank is partially filled, but officials said the system must be inspected for leaks.

Upper Mountain View also remains under restrictions.

Hawaiian Electric power is unavailable at the department’s ʻŌlaʻa No. 7 and ʻŌlaʻa No. 8 booster stations. ʻŌlaʻa No. 7 is operating on a generator, while a tanker is being used to fill the North Peck Road and Ihope Road tanks.

A roughly 400-gallon water buffalo has been placed along North Peck Road for community use. Residents are being asked to conserve water and use it only for essential needs.

In Hawi, the Karpovich booster remains without Hawaiian Electric power and is operating on a generator. Customers are also being asked to limit water use to essential needs.

Kaloko Mauka has received limited power restoration, allowing water service to return to the lower portion of the community up to Kaloko Tank No. 3, above Kaloko Loa Street. The department said there is no Hawaiian Electric power at the No. 3 tank and above.

Spigots near the tank are available for customers.

Pāhala’s well also remains without Hawaiian Electric power but is operating on a generator. The precautionary boil-water notice for Pāhala was canceled Aug. 20.

However, aerial inspections Saturday found water lines leading to Pāhala’s water sources above town were significantly damaged and cannot be salvaged.

Spigots are available on a fire hydrant in front of Kaʻū Hospital for Punaluʻu residents, while an emergency standpipe at the hospital is available for ranchers.

The Department of Water Supply urges residents in all affected areas to conserve water as crews work to stabilize the systems and determine the scope and timeline of permanent repairs