WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s graduating seniors missed out on a piece of tradition Thursday, when a break in a water main forced school officials to close the campus. County water department crews have since fixed the line on Ola
WAIMEA — Waimea High School’s graduating seniors missed out on a piece of tradition Thursday, when a break in a water main forced school officials to close the campus.
County water department crews have since fixed the line on Ola Road, but Waimea seniors still won’t be able to participate in their senior assembly.
“Fortunately, this didn’t happen on Friday,” said Superintendent Bill Arakaki.
Principal Nely Caberto, who has worked at the school since 1993, said the assembly is a rite of passage. During the assembly, held in the school’s gymnasium, seniors and their underclassmen sit in sections according the their grade level. The seniors then move to the main floor and call the other classes to change positions.
“It’s just a tradition that they’ve had and I think that’s where you have mixed emotions,” she said. “A lot of them wanted to have the last day to say their goodbyes to the teachers, as well.”
Two students asked Caberto if the assembly could be held on Friday, but she told them there wouldn’t be time. They have to practice the graduation ceremony prior to the main event on Friday evening.
“I told them if we hold the assembly, when are we going to practice?” She said. “(Graduation) is their highlight of four years of high school.”
She said health concerns made the closure necessary, as water was shut off to school to allow for repairs. Without water, students and staff would be unable to use the restroom or wash their hands. The cafeteria also can’t function without water.
“It’s the first time I think we’ve shut down due to the water supply,” Caberto said.
According to a county press release, the age of the pipeline, constructed around 1924, was a factor in the break. The water department has been working on upgrading aging infrastructure following Water Plan 2020, a comprehensive, long-range planning effort, to ensure that safe, affordable and sufficient drinking water is provided to Kaua‘i residents over the next two decades.
Repairs were completed before 2 p.m. Big Save, the Waimea Fire Station and other businesses were temporarily without water.
Caberto said that despite the disruption, graduation and the seniors’ memories of their final days of school should still be exhilarating.
“I think our kids are very resilient and will be here (Friday) ready to go,” she said. “They still will be excited because … it is still graduation day.”
Waimea High resumes normal operations today.
The Waimea High School graduation begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight on the lawn in front of the school.
KILAUEA — Due to the possibility that the water quality inportions of Kilauea may have been compromised, the Department ofWater has issued an urgent notice to area residents as aprecautionary measure, states a Thursday county pressrelease.
Affected areas include: Kuhi‘o Highway from Wailapa Road to KapunaRoad; Huli and Waiakalua Road; and portions of Ko‘olau Road.
“Until we can confirm that the water quality has not beencompromised, Department of Water customers in portions of Kilaueashould not use their water for drinking or cooking,” said DavidCraddick, Department of Water manager and chief engineer.
He explained that water may have been introduced into theDepartment of Water system from an outside source that may havebeen caused by a cross connection.
This notice is in effect at least until noon today.
Residents are asked to notify their family, friends and neighborsthat may be in the affected areas about this notice.
The Department of Water is flushing the affected portion of theKilauea water system and conducting water quality tests. While thework is being done, the water levels may drop so affected customersshould store water for toilet use.
The department recommends that customers with icemakers turn it offand discard the ice in the bin. In addition, those who use a waterpurification system should shut it off to avoid clogging thefilter.
Water Buffalos (tankers) with clean water are being dispatched andwill be located on Kuhi‘o Highway at Wailapa Road and Kapuna Road.Customers are asked to bring their own containers to transport thewater to their homes.
Periodic updates will be sent out as the system is flushed and testresults become available.
