DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY – HURRICANE LALA RECOVERY UPDATE
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY – HURRICANE LALA RECOVERY UPDATE
This is a Department of Water Supply (DWS) update for Tuesday, 9/1/2026, at 3pm.
Nā‘ālehu – Wai‘ōhinu (includes Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Subdivision, Green Sands Subdivision, and South Point Road areas):
* DWS continues its assessment and recovery efforts to restore reliable water service to mauka Wai‘ōhinu and South Point Road. As access to hurricane-damaged areas has become possible, crews have been able to further assess the extent of damage to critical water system infrastructure.
* Hurricane-related flooding caused significant breaks in transmission and distribution waterlines from Mountain House Tunnel and along Hāʻao Springs Road. These waterlines are critical to moving source water to storage tanks and customers throughout the system.
* Flooding also caused significant damage to access routes leading to portions of the affected water system. Restoring safe vehicle access is necessary before crews can transport the equipment and materials needed to complete repairs. Due to the extent of the damage and access challenges, a repair timeframe has not yet been determined.
* DWS is continuing to assess the resources, equipment, and assistance needed to complete repairs as safely and quickly as possible and will provide additional information as recovery plans and timelines are established.
* In the meantime, the system is relying on the Nā‘ālehu Well and Hāʻao Springs to provide available water supply. Until the Mountain House Tunnel waterlines are repaired and additional source water can reach the system’s storage tanks, customers may experience unannounced water service interruptions.
* Customers from South Point Road to Nā‘ālehu are asked to use water for essential needs only and avoid unnecessary water use. Conserving the available supply will help DWS maintain service for as many customers as possible while recovery work continues.
* The precautionary boil water notice remains in effect until further notice for Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Subdivision, Green Sands Subdivision, and South Point Road.
* Potable water is available from tankers across from Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware and at the Discovery Harbor Clubhouse. Please take only what you need for essential uses.
* DWS recognizes the significant impact these prolonged disruptions are having on the community. Crews remain actively engaged in assessment, repair, and recovery efforts, and DWS will continue providing updates as additional information becomes available. We appreciate the community’s patience, conservation, and cooperation as this work continues.
Pāhala
* Punalu‘u residents may obtain water from spigots on the fire hydrant fronting Kaʻū Hospital. Please take only what you need for essential uses.
* Ranchers may use the 2-inch connection on the fire hydrant fronting Kaʻū Hospital to fill water tankers.
