Residents Seek City Action After Flooding Damages North Shore Homes

Residents in Ke Iki, Hawaii say a decades-old canal and faulty drainage are to blame for recent flooding that damaged their homes.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:51am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a flooded coastal area, with the rising waters engulfing and dwarfing any visible structures or objects, conveying the sublime scale and power of the natural disaster.As rising tides and extreme weather events increasingly threaten coastal communities, residents grapple with the overwhelming power of nature and the need for better infrastructure to protect their homes.Wahiawa Today

In the early morning hours of March 20, water rose up to six feet inside homes off Ke Iki Road in Hawaii, with residents blaming a decades-old canal that runs through multiple yards before flowing out through a valve at Sharks Cove. Residents say the canal has poor drainage and the valve was not functioning properly, leading to the flooding. They have been asking the City and County of Honolulu to clear debris from the canal, but crews have only moved debris to the side instead of fully clearing it. After the March 20 flood, residents wanted the city to remove the valve ahead of a storm on April 10, but were surprised when crews instead tightened the valve, leaving them on edge about potential future flooding.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges residents in flood-prone areas face when dealing with aging infrastructure and drainage issues. The community's frustration with the city's response and perceived lack of proactive maintenance on the canal underscores the need for better coordination between local government and residents to address these types of recurring natural disaster threats.

The details

Residents say the canal that runs through multiple yards before flowing out through a valve at Sharks Cove was to blame for the flooding. They claim the valve was not functioning properly, leading to the water backing up. After the March 20 flood, residents wanted the city to remove the valve ahead of a storm on April 10, but were surprised when crews instead tightened the valve. Residents also believe poor drainage in the canal contributed to the flooding, with one resident noting they saw leaves going uphill instead of towards the ocean, indicating a blockage.

  • On March 20, water rose up to six feet inside homes off Ke Iki Road.
  • On April 10, a storm hit the area, leading to further flooding concerns.

The players

Karen Costello

A Ke Iki resident whose home sustained major damage following the March 20 flood.

Kathy Mociun

A Ke Iki resident who observed leaves going uphill in the canal, indicating a blockage.

Andrew Rigterink

A Ke Iki resident of over three decades who has been asking the city to clear debris from the canal.

City and County of Honolulu

The local government responsible for maintaining the canal and responding to the flooding concerns.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've been on edge for three weeks and three days, fight or flight mode. Not good for our health.”

— Karen Costello, Ke Iki resident

“When I got up the next day, I couldn't believe I saw the bag again. There it is. I haven't touched it. Nobody touched it.”

— Kathy Mociun, Ke Iki resident

“There's dirt built up, you can crawl in 20 feet furthest I've gone, but it's probably clogged all the way to the valve at the end that keeps water from flowing out properly.”

— Andrew Rigterink, Ke Iki resident

What’s next

The City and County of Honolulu has stated they will continue to monitor the canal and valve to ensure they are functioning properly. Residents say they want to work with the city to allow crews access to their private property to maintain the canal and prevent future flooding.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges residents in flood-prone areas face when dealing with aging infrastructure and drainage issues. The community's frustration with the city's response and perceived lack of proactive maintenance on the canal underscores the need for better coordination between local government and residents to address these types of recurring natural disaster threats.