{"id":16670,"date":"2026-08-21T17:46:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T03:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/?p=16670"},"modified":"2026-08-22T17:49:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T03:49:27","slug":"news-release-wahiawa-dam-preparedness-and-evacuation-information-ahead-of-incoming-tropical-storm-moke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/news-release-wahiawa-dam-preparedness-and-evacuation-information-ahead-of-incoming-tropical-storm-moke\/","title":{"rendered":"NEWS RELEASE: Wahiaw\u0101 Dam Preparedness And Evacuation Information Ahead Of Incoming Tropical Storm Moke"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2026-016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 21, 2026    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HONOLULU \u2013 As the state prepares for anticipated heavy rains and potential flooding from another approaching tropical storm, the Hawai\u02bbi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) is urging residents in the Wahiaw\u0101 area to take necessary precautions, especially those living near or downstream of the Wahiaw\u0101 Dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSafety is our top priority and understanding how to prepare for possible evacuations is critical,\u201d said HIEMA Administrator David Lopez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Status \u2013 Wahiaw\u0101 Dam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of this morning, Friday, August 21, the water level in the Wahiaw\u0101 reservoir is 77.5 feet. The Wahiaw\u0101 Dam can operate up to water levels of 90 feet. Since last week, the state Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), the dam owner, has been discharging water at the maximum safe rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contractor for the Wahiaw\u0101 Dam Rehabilitation Project, Goodfellow Bros. LLC, has begun to install an Aquadam bladder, which will raise the height of the dam embankment by 1.5 to 2 feet. This will effectively increase the dam\u2019s spillway capacity and help prevent water from overtopping the dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Dam Safety, which monitors regulated dams, Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson Ryan Kanaka\u2018ole said, \u201cWe want everyone to know that our teams have been working tirelessly for the past several weeks with dam owners and state and county agencies involved in emergency response. \u201cDLNR will continue to issue critical information during the storm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alert Levels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on multiple safety factors and the anticipated time required for emergency responders and the public to safely evacuate the inundation areas surrounding Waialua and Hale\u02bbiwa, the ADC has established several elevation triggers in its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to notify DEM:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alert<\/td>Definition<\/td><\/tr>
82 feet: Non-failure Alert<\/td>An unusual event.<\/td><\/tr>
84 feet: Potential Failure<\/td>High water, possible incident.<\/td><\/tr>
86 feet: Imminent failure emergency level<\/td>High water level, dam could be overtopped.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The County DEM will determine when warnings should be issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the National Weather Service may issue flash flood warnings, which may or may not be related to the ADC\u2019s notifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible Flooding Unrelated to Wahiaw\u0101 Dam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some areas from Waialua and Hale\u02bbiwa, including Otake Camp, are situated in high-risk flood zones. These areas are prone to flooding during any heavy rains, as water flows down the north and northeast flanks of Wai\u02bbanae Mountain Range and from the Mokul\u0113\u02bbia Forest Reserve on its way to the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents should understand their flood risk in these areas may not solely be from the discharge of Wahiaw\u0101 Reservoir. A good way to confirm your flood risk is the flood hazard assessment tool. (https:\/\/fhat.hawaii.gov\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In anticipation of heavy rainfall, it is important for residents to be aware of potential changes to water levels and the possibility of controlled releases from the dam. As storms intensify, the likelihood of rapid increases in water levels can lead to dangerous flooding. Understand the importance of storm conditions and the potential impacts of rising waters from nearby dams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Residents Should Know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Evacuation Zones:<\/strong> Residents living in low-lying areas near the Wahiaw\u0101 Dam are encouraged to familiarize themselves with designated evacuation routes. If you feel threatened by the approaching storm, consider self-evacuating to a safer location. Should authorities issue an evacuation order, it is crucial to comply promptly for your safety and well-being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Know<\/strong> if you are located in an evacuation area for Wahiaw\u0101 or other dams in the area, see the City and County of Honolulu O\u02bbahu Dam Evacuation Planning Tool: https:\/\/experience.arcgis.com\/experience\/d9e2e0555cce49faa0917ba7fec99349<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Potential Flooding:<\/strong> Experts predict significant rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding in nearby streams, rivers and low areas. Pay attention to weather updates and heed any warnings from local officials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Communication: <\/strong>Stay informed through local news channels, the National Weather Service and community alert systems \u2013 such as HNLAlert. Ensure your cell phones are charged and have battery backups available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Preparation Tips:<\/strong> Prepare an emergency kit with essentials, including water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries and important documents; plan for pets and ensure you have provisions, including food, water and any necessary medications; make sure your vehicle is fueled and ready for travel. Consider having a full tank of gas in case you need to evacuate. Be prepared to evacuate on foot.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cAs we brace for the impending storm, I want to emphasize the importance of preparedness and community resilience,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cLocal, state and federal officials are working diligently to ensure safety measures are in place, but we also need the cooperation of every resident. Please take this opportunity to prepare your homes and families, stay informed and look out for one another. Let\u2019s navigate through this storm safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By taking proactive measures and understanding the potential consequences of rising waters, residents can better protect themselves and their property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For information on disaster preparedness and to find your designated evacuation zones, we encourage residents to visit ready.hawaii.gov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ###<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Media Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    S. K\u012belek\u016b Amundson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Communications Director<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Phone: 808-733-4300 Ext 522<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Email: shirley.t.k.amundson@hawaii.gov<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Andrew Laurence <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Communications Director<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    State of Hawai\u02bbi Department of Land and Natural Resources<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Phone: 808-587-0396<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Email: andrew.laurence@hawaii.gov<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    2026-016 August 21, 2026     HONOLULU \u2013 As the state prepares for anticipated heavy rains and potential flooding from another approaching tropical storm, the Hawai\u02bbi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) is urging […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":189,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"13707,4518,3204,10930,16635,5989","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[371,377],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-371","category-2026-tropical-storm-moke"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/189"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16670"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16672,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16670\/revisions\/16672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dod.hawaii.gov\/hiema\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}