HANAMA‘ULU — Residents at Kalepa Village Apartments in Hanamau‘ulu woke up on Thursday morning to low water pressure. After and initial investigation The Department of Water (DOW) notified property maintenance of the leak that was on Kalepa Village property.
Resident Kawena Bagano was refilling her three five-gallon water containers with water provided by the DOW’s water tanks in front of Kalepa Village’s office at around 2 p.m.
“It’s been a bit frustrating,” Bagano said. I work from home remotely and I home-school my kids today. That’s why we are getting water right now. We have been using the bathroom, they told us this morning that they think it was going to be done by half-day, and its been half-day already and still no water.”
Resident Manager Lee Yasutake sent out a letter to all residents early Thursday morning. According to Yasutake, an underground water pipe burst fronting the Kuhio Highway.
“As most of you know the water department shut off the water to the Kalepa units,” Yasutake said. “We are in the process of getting it repaired. Once the plumbing company gets their equipment here and digs up the ground, we will know more information at that time. We can then tell you how long the repairs will take. You can call the office periodically for updates. In the event it takes longer than we hope, the water department will be bringing out a water buffalo later today.”
Yasutake advised and encouraged Kalepa Village residents to take advantage of the two buffalo tanks in front of his office.
“It’s a water tank to supply water for our tenants for their toilet so it can operate,” Yasutake said. “You’ll need to furnish your own container. We can assist our elderly or handicapped tenants that have no family members or friends to help them. Call the office if you need our assistance to fill your container and have it delivered to your unit. Please purchase bottled water for your drinking and cooking needs at the store.”
By the afternoon an EARTHWORKS PACIFIC INC. crew were found drilling, working in front of the main entrance of Kalepa Village.
“Hopefully we will be done within the next hour or two,” EARTHWORKS PACIFIC INC. representative Kawika Moniz said.
DOW confirmed the water leak was only happening on Kalepa Village and no other communities were affected. Over 140 families were affected.
For more information, please contact the Department of Water at 245-5461.
