Hawaiʻi to Take Over Aging Dam After Failure Scare During Flood Evacuations

State will acquire dam and irrigation lands from Dole Food Co. to make $20 million in repairs and expand the spillway.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:23am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive, swirling storm system dwarfing a partially obscured earthen dam structure, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural forces at play.As a historic dam teeters on the brink of failure, the raw power of nature serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of critical infrastructure.Wahiawa Today

The state of Hawaiʻi will soon take over a 120-year-old dam in Wahiawa that reached worrisome levels during heavy rains and flooding last week, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate for fear of life-threatening failure. The state's land board voted to acquire the dam and irrigation lands from Dole Food Co., clearing the way for the state to make at least $20 million in repairs and expand the spillway.

Why it matters

The Wahiawa Dam is considered a 'high hazard' because its failure would likely have fatal consequences for nearby communities. Residents have long worried about the dam's stability during heavy storms, and the state has previously issued notices of deficiency and fines to Dole for failing to address safety issues on time.

The details

The earthen dam was built in 1906 to increase sugar production for the Waialua Agricultural Co., which later became a Dole subsidiary. It was reconstructed following a collapse in 1921. During the recent heavy rains and flooding, water levels rose quickly, adding to already saturated earth from other recent downpours. This prompted the evacuation of 5,500 people from two communities on Oahu's North Shore.

  • Last week, thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate due to fears of the dam's failure.
  • Five years ago, the state fined Dole $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies at the dam on time.
  • Since 2009, the state has sent Dole four notices of deficiency about the dam.

The players

Dole Food Co.

The company that currently owns the Wahiawa Dam and irrigation lands, which it has agreed to transfer to the state of Hawaiʻi at no cost.

Kathleen Pahinui

A neighborhood board chairperson who was among the 5,500 people ordered to evacuate due to the dam failure scare.

Josh Green

The governor of Hawaiʻi, who said the cost of the recent storm could top $1 billion, making it the state's most serious since flooding in 2004.

Wesley 'Kaiwi' Yoon

A member of the state's land board who expressed reservations about the deal with Dole, citing the company's 'checkered past' and issues with the Native Hawaiian community.

Trisha Kehaulani Watson-Sproat

A Dole consultant and Native Hawaiian who grew up near the dam, who believes state takeover is the 'best way forward.'

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What they’re saying

“'If the state is going to endure this and partner with Dole, who again has a checkered past and issue with its Native community and what it's done to aina over time, it's very difficult to be so nonchalant about this issue.'”

— Wesley 'Kaiwi' Yoon, Land board member

“'I call it the decolonizing of this watershed system.'”

— Trisha Kehaulani Watson-Sproat, Dole consultant and Native Hawaiian

What’s next

The state will now move forward with at least $20 million in repairs and an expansion of the Wahiawa Dam's spillway to improve safety and prevent future failure scares.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of aging infrastructure and the need for proactive maintenance and investment, especially for critical facilities like dams that can pose serious risks to nearby communities. The state's takeover of the Wahiawa Dam represents an important step in ensuring its long-term stability and safety.