Crap
Heavy rains create more trouble in paradise...
Ocean currents shifted toward Oahu's south shore beaches, carrying millions of gallons of raw sewage that was diverted into a canal from a broken pipe and into the ocean.
"What we feared has happened. The bacteria has kind of spread (emphasis mine) through areas of Waikiki," state Health Department spokesman Kurt Tsue said.
"This is absolutely disgusting that here at the doorstep of our economic engine we have untreated sewage on the beaches. This should have never happened," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club, which filed a lawsuit in 2004 alleging deficiencies in the city's wastewater system.
The city was trying to determine how much untreated sewage has been diverted into the canal, which empties into the ocean between two of Hawaii's most famous beach areas -- Waikiki and Ala Moana.
It could exceed 50 million gallons (emphasis mine), considering an average 15 million gallons of wastewater a day flows out of Waikiki.
The city has been using pumps around the clock since the sewer line broke early Friday. Repairs on the 42-inch sewer main were completed Wednesday and the diversion into the canal was finally stopped.
The pipe, installed in 1964, cracked after heavy rain flooded the aging sewer system.
The Ala Moana canal runs between the two biggest tourist areas on Oahu, Ala Moana and Waikiki. If you have been to Honolulu, you have most likely seen the canal. A good number of hotels have views of the canal and are within a few of blocks of it. The smell the last few days must have been terrible for residents and guests.
The great thing about Hawaii is that it has all of the beauty of a remote tropical country without any of the third world drawbacks. Recent events have revealed that some of Hawaii's infrastructure may be on borrowed time. A thorough review of these structures, from pipelines to watersheds to reservoirs will have to be done before the next rainy season. Residents and tourists can expect higher taxes in the very near furture to invest in keeping Hawaii a first rate destiination.
Ocean currents shifted toward Oahu's south shore beaches, carrying millions of gallons of raw sewage that was diverted into a canal from a broken pipe and into the ocean.
"What we feared has happened. The bacteria has kind of spread (emphasis mine) through areas of Waikiki," state Health Department spokesman Kurt Tsue said.
"This is absolutely disgusting that here at the doorstep of our economic engine we have untreated sewage on the beaches. This should have never happened," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club, which filed a lawsuit in 2004 alleging deficiencies in the city's wastewater system.
The city was trying to determine how much untreated sewage has been diverted into the canal, which empties into the ocean between two of Hawaii's most famous beach areas -- Waikiki and Ala Moana.
It could exceed 50 million gallons (emphasis mine), considering an average 15 million gallons of wastewater a day flows out of Waikiki.
The city has been using pumps around the clock since the sewer line broke early Friday. Repairs on the 42-inch sewer main were completed Wednesday and the diversion into the canal was finally stopped.
The pipe, installed in 1964, cracked after heavy rain flooded the aging sewer system.
The Ala Moana canal runs between the two biggest tourist areas on Oahu, Ala Moana and Waikiki. If you have been to Honolulu, you have most likely seen the canal. A good number of hotels have views of the canal and are within a few of blocks of it. The smell the last few days must have been terrible for residents and guests.
The great thing about Hawaii is that it has all of the beauty of a remote tropical country without any of the third world drawbacks. Recent events have revealed that some of Hawaii's infrastructure may be on borrowed time. A thorough review of these structures, from pipelines to watersheds to reservoirs will have to be done before the next rainy season. Residents and tourists can expect higher taxes in the very near furture to invest in keeping Hawaii a first rate destiination.
posted by Nordeaster | 11:00 AM
3 Comments:
Ish.
And here I was thinking about making another visit to Kauai next year on my way to Japan.
Perhaps Fiji is cleaner.
This was Oahu. Kauai should be ok other than a little silt on the coral around Kilauea from the dam breech.
I would love to check out Fiji or Tahiti. Another area that looks gorgeous is the Thai peninsula around Phuket. I was actually offered a job there, but couldn't be away from my son.
A friend of mine has been to Phuket a few times. He says the beaches and boys are equally yummy but I'm guessing that 50% of that equation would only apply to you! (You pick)
;)
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