On the flood-ravaged North Shore of Oʻahu, Sarah Ghio is grappling with the aftermath of recent severe storms. Leaning against the rear bumper of her inoperable silver SUV, she sips juice, the only available hydrant since tap water has been deemed unsafe due to flooding. The visible exhaustion in her face mirrors the stress of returning to a farm severely impacted by natural disasters.
Ghio operates on a leased piece of land that was once part of a larger 300-acre estate owned by Dole Food's sister company, Castle and Cooke. This area was historically rich in irrigation ditches that fed crops from the plantation era, but over the years, intrusive weeds have compromised the system's functionality. The recent Kona low storms have exacerbated these issues, leading to significant damage attributed to neglected waterways and inadequate drainage systems.
Local farmers and residents of Waialua, which has been heavily affected by flooding, express their frustration over the unresponsiveness of government agencies when seeking accountability. Many feel they are on a "goose chase," trying to find who is responsible for the deteriorating infrastructure. Ghio emphasizes the need for clarity over ownership and responsibility as many of the original landowners have divested their property over the years, leaving residents in limbo regarding maintenance obligations.
The laws concerning waterway management are explicit, designating landowners as responsible for maintaining the waterways on their property. However, the complexity of laws and the multi-agency oversight, including the Commission on Water Resource Management, complicate governance and enforcement efforts. It remains unclear when the waterways were last assessed for maintenance and inspections, leading to a lack of accountability.
The North Shore’s natural drainage patterns were drastically altered during the late 1800s due to plantation practices, which introduced extensive irrigation systems. However, since the dismissal of Waialua Sugar Company 40 years ago, the associated infrastructure has been inadequately maintained, resulting in flooding issues that Joe Land Trust’s Dole has largely ignored. Massive land sales over the last two decades have left small farmers and new landowners struggling to piece together the remnants of the irrigation system.
Recent floods revealed the fragility of the ditches, which many assume function as part of a drainage system. Yet officials from the state clarified that while these ditches manage stormwater runoff, their primary purpose has always been irrigation. This contradiction has left upstream landowners and farmers pointing fingers at each other regarding accountability for the flooding.
A local developer, Peter Savio, argues that the misconception of the ditches being solely responsible for flooding overlooks the broader mismanagement upstream. Complaints have emerged about the disarray of infrastructure with trash obstructing flow channels, and illegally constructed homes diverting water streams exacerbating the flooding crisis.
Local representatives, including State Rep. Amy Perruso, acknowledge the problem’s complexity, indicating that much of the issue stems from vague laws and lack of effective enforcement. The area has seen ongoing flooding problems for years, yet efforts to establish proactive solutions have faltered, further compromising community safety and agricultural viability.
As residents gather to voice their grievances, the calls for better management and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure grow louder. Ghio, who has lost vehicles and crops due to the flooding, highlights the need for systematic improvements in stormwater management. Many community members have suffered due to inadequate drainage systems contributing to the floods, stressing the dire need for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to devise a comprehensive plan for future flood preparedness.
The recent flooding crisis on Oʻahu’s North Shore underscores the urgent need for clearer accountability, improved infrastructure, and continuous maintenance of waterways, as the community faces ongoing environmental challenges exacerbated by changes in land ownership and neglect. Families like Ghio's are left to navigate a complex web of laws and responsibilities, relying increasingly on one another for support in rebuilding and preventing future devastation.
