A blessing was held yesterday to mark the start of phase two of the Department of Water’s (DOW) Waipouli pipeline replacement project. Taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony were (L to R): DOW Manager and Chief Engineer David Craddick; Managing Director Gary Heu; Jeff Griffin, Goodfellow Bros.; DOW Project Manager Dustin Moises; Jeff Orsatelli and Keith Perry, Good fellow Bros.; Council Member Nadine Nakamura; and Anthony Silva, DOW inspector. Concurrently, a dedication took place to commemorate the completion of the first phase of the project.
By Staff Reports
(Waipouli)– A dedication was held to commemorate the completion of the Department of Water’s (DOW) pipeline replacement project along Fernandes and Hoi roads and Fuji Beach in Waipouli.
Concurrently, a blessing took place for the groundbreaking of phase two of the project, which will extend along Kūhi‘ō Highway from Keaka Road to Ohia Street. The existing 5-inch galvanized steel waterline will be replaced by a 12-inch C-900 PVC line.
DOW Manager and Chief Engineer David Craddick welcomed the group including representatives from Earthworks Pacific Inc., Goodfellow Bros. Inc., Department of Public Works, SCS Archaeology, and the Kaua‘i Burial Council. Also in attendance was Managing Director Gary Heu, Council Member Nadine Nakamura, and the DOW operations, engineering and administrative staff.
“The Department takes great pride in the completion and start of these waterline projects as it supports our mission to provide safe, affordable, and sufficient drinking water to our customers,” said DOW Project Manager Dustin Moises, adding that the project is a collaborative effort between DOW staff and its consultants and contractors.
Moises expressed his gratitude to Jeff Chandler, a cultural monitor, and Jim Powell and Mike Dega of SCS Archeology for their care and diligence in handling the iwi and other cultural and historical items that were encountered during phase one of the project. A new site at Lihi Park was created so the finds as well as future finds could be properly interred to the area.
He also acknowledged Nathan Kalama, the Kaua’i Burial Council and the State Historic Preservation Division for their part in ensuring that the iwi was treated with great care and respect.
“Phase one of this project was completed on time and within budget,” noted Moises, adding that the newly installed PVC waterlines are designed to endure harsh ground conditions while increasing fire protection for residents in the area.
Pau’ula Chandler did the dedication for the completion of phase one. The blessing for phase two was officiated by Kahu Ipo Kahaunaele.
Earthworks Pacific Inc. was awarded the contract for phase one of the Waipouli pipeline replacement project, while Goodfellow Bros Inc. was the general contractor for phase two. Funding for both phases of the project came from the Build America Bonds program, $2.1M and $2M respectively.
The project is part of the Department’s Water Plan 2020.
The Department would like to thank residents in the area for their patience and cooperation while the work was being done to complete the needed improvements to the system.
For more information, please call the Department of Water at 245-5461 during business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For emergencies after hours, call Police Dispatch at 241-1711.