Wastewater Overflow Floods Kihei Park, Forces Closures
A pump station breakdown in Kihei, Maui dumped sewage into a park and nearby streets, which is bad for local residents and park users but has not yet reached the ocean.
- A mechanical failure at a Kihei wastewater pump station flooded Kalama Park, turning the baseball field into standing water.
- Tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and the Little League field are all closed, along with the fire station parking lot.
- Overflow is running down side streets into some residents' driveways, and the smell is strong near the site.
- The state health department is telling people to stay out of the water near the park, and nearby homes on the sewer system are being asked to cut back on flushing, bathing, and laundry while crews work on repairs.
- Officials say the spill has not reached the ocean and is being managed by directing it onto land instead, which is far less damaging than an ocean release.
Outlook: County crews are still working to fix the pump station, and the park closures and water-use restrictions will likely stay in place until repairs are done.