Honolulu Officials Order Evacuations as Wahiawa Dam May Fail

Honolulu officials issued urgent evacuation orders for over 4,000 residents on Friday morning as authorities warned of the imminent failure of the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam.

“Major rains pummeled the area for the second major rain event in a week”

ABC

The "LEAVE NOW" evacuation order was issued at 5:35 a.m. for communities downstream of the dam, including Waialua and Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore.

ABC

Officials warned of "extremely dangerous flooding" and a dam "at risk of imminent failure" according to multiple sources.

Hawaii News Now reported that the dam has not failed and remains structurally sound, with reservoir levels trending downward after surpassing the 85-foot evacuation trigger.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green activated the National Guard to respond to what he called a "very severe" storm situation that had created chest-high flood waters.

Severe flooding conditions across Oahu's North Shore have created dangerous emergencies, with muddy floodwaters inundating streets, pushing homes off their foundations, and swallowing vehicles.

Emergency sirens blared as rising waters damaged homes in the community world-renowned for its surfing.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Firefighters and lifeguards on jet skis searched floodwaters for stranded residents.

Honolulu spokesperson Ian Scheuring confirmed that "homes being swept away" had been reported, though no immediate deaths or injuries were documented.

The National Weather Service extended flash flood warnings until 8 a.m., reporting "widespread life-threatening flash flooding" particularly in Haleiwa and Waialua.

Molly Pierce from Honolulu Emergency Management noted that "the water is actively running over the spillway right now."

Emergency teams faced challenges including residents flying personal drones to capture images of the flooding, which hampered search efforts.

The Wahiawa Dam, a 120-year-old structure with a history of safety concerns, has been the focus of intense scrutiny as water levels rose above critical thresholds.

“Brenton Awa, a Republican who represents the North Shore, said the area that's long been popular among tourists and renowned for it's big-wave action, has seen a lot of development and newcomers in recent years”

ABC13 Houston

Built in 1906 for the Waialua Agricultural Company (later Dole Food Company) and reconstructed after a 1921 collapse, the earthen dam has been classified as having "high hazard potential" with state officials warning that a failure would result in "probable loss of human life."

The dam's ownership and maintenance responsibilities have been controversial, as Dole has agreed to transfer ownership to the state for over $20 million in improvements, though the transfer remains incomplete.

State engineers have reportedly warned Dole about needed upgrades since 2009, with one official stating in 2023 that "It's not a matter of 'if' something happens, it's a matter of 'when'... We have a very precarious situation, and nothing really has been done to address it."

Despite these concerns, Dole representatives maintained that "the dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage."

The broader infrastructure challenges facing Hawaii's dam systems came into focus as officials revealed that the state regulates 132 dams across the islands, most built during the sugar cane era as irrigation systems.

A 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers report highlighted the historical context of these structures, with the Wahiawa Dam representing just one of many aging infrastructure components.

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The situation recalled the deadly 2006 Ka Loko dam collapse on Kauai, which killed seven people when the earthen dam failed and water rushed downhill.

Multiple sources noted that officials had been watching dam levels closely since a devastating storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, causing catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes.

This week's storm, though weaker, was still potent enough to overwhelm already saturated ground, creating what officials described as a "catastrophic" flooding situation.

The National Weather Service reported that "significant runoff continues to produce high water levels and dangerous flooding impacts."

As the emergency situation continued to evolve, authorities emphasized that while the dam had not completely failed, the risk remained serious and additional threats were looming.

“By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER and AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — Muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents in towns north of Honolulu on Friday as officials warned of the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam”

Boston Herald

Hawaii News Now reported that emergency messaging was designed to protect lives and ensure "a coordinated, orderly response amid evolving conditions," with officials urging all residents to "follow instructions from government officials and law enforcement, including evacuation orders and emergency guidance."

Boston Herald

The evacuation zone covered all of Haleiwa between Puuiki Street and Kamehameha Highway, and areas of Waialua between Kukea Circle and Otake Camp.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi stated that "dozens — if not hundreds — of homes had been damaged" and that "the damage done thus far has been catastrophic."

Emergency shelters were being overwhelmed in some cases, with one shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School being evacuated due to flooding, requiring the relocation of about 185 people and 50 pets.

With more rain forecast through the weekend and Maui issuing evacuation advisories for some Lahaina neighborhoods (areas already devastated by the 2023 wildfire), the Hawaiian Islands remained on high alert for ongoing weather-related emergencies.