Halama Wetlands
The Halama Wetlands in Kīhei are part of the greater Welakahao wetland system, fed by Kēōkea Gulch and the Kula Kai aquifer. As a cryptorheic wetland separated from the ocean
Flooding
The Role of the Ewa Wetland in Kihei’s Drainage System
The Ewa Wetland is not just a low-lying parcel of land—it is one of the most critical natural drainage assets in all of South Kihei. According to the County’s drainage
Ewa Wetland – Kihei
The Ewa wetland is an example of a landlocked wetland. With no obvious overland outlets to the ocean this wetland is still a catchment and detention basin and performs a
KULANIHAKOI ELEVATED ROADWAY: A REAL SOLUTION FOR A CRITICAL FLOOD ZONE IN KĪHEI
A targeted solution for one of Kihei’s most flood-prone areas, the Kulanihakoi Elevated Roadway concept lifts the road to restore natural water flow, reduce flooding, and protect surrounding homes and
Post-Storm Reality: Our Drainage System Is Compromised
Heavy sediment buildup across Kihei’s storm drains, culverts, and gulches has reduced flow capacity throughout the drainage system. Without immediate clearing, the next major storm will cause more severe and
Waipuilani Gulch Greenway Bridge: What Actually Needs to Be Built
Waipuilani Gulch is not a single crossing problem. It is a continuous mauka-to-makai flood system that collects both upcountry runoff and localized rainfall across Kihei before converging into a constrained
Flooding, Rainfall, and Storm Events in South Maui
The March 2026 storm broke records at Kahului Airport, but South Kīhei’s flood history goes back decades. Rainfall data, stream flow records, road closures, and lived experience all point to
Extreme Weather Is Not the Disaster
The extreme floods of March 2026 revealed a system that was never built to handle the full watershed. The damage was predictable—and preventable.
South Maui’s Stormwater System: Why It Fails When It Matters Most
Flooding in Kihei is not random. It’s the result of a stormwater system that fails under real conditions, leaving streets, homes, and communities exposed.
Understanding Kihei’s Stormwater System: The Language of Wai
Kihei flooding is not random. It follows natural pathways shaped by wai, gulches, wetlands, and the coastal plain. This explains how the system works—and why it fails.
Kīhei Flooding: A Disaster We Knew Was Coming
Record rainfall across South Maui pushed water, mud, and debris through every gulch and drainage system at once, overwhelming infrastructure never designed for real flood conditions. From washed-out roads to
Post-Storm Road Hazards in Kihei
After major storms in Kihei, mud, flooding, and debris can remain on South Kihei Road for days, forcing pedestrians into the roadway where sidewalks are missing and shoulders become unsafe.
Slow Down in Flooded Streets
After the recent Kona storm in Kihei, flooded streets are still damaging homes, yards, and businesses. Driving too fast through standing water creates wake waves that worsen erosion, increase property
Centipedes in Kihei After the Rains
After storms and heavy rain in Kihei, centipedes often appear indoors as floodwater drives them from their hiding places. This article explains why they come inside, why they help control
Likely Tsunami Damage on Maui – Realistic Localized Impact
🌊 Likely Tsunami Damage on Maui – Realistic Localized Impact 🔹 1. Coastal Infrastructure Damage (Primary Risk) Most damaging tsunamis in Hawaiʻi
Waipuilani Mauka
Waipuilani Mauka is an undeveloped scrub-shrub wetland in Kihei, shaped by groundwater, seasonal flooding, engineered drainage changes, and surrounding development. The site shows signs of wetland hydrology, including altered vegetation,
Kulanihakoi Gulch is Being Devastated
Gulch Destruction: This natural gulch is being gutted in the name of debris removal, the project is turning it into a deep
Kalama Wetlands
The Kalama Wetlands at Kalama Park in Kīhei are one of South Maui’s last remaining perennial estuary wetlands. Fed by groundwater springs and connected to the Haleakalā watershed, they help
Storm Surge and Its Potential Damage in South Maui
Understanding Storm Surge A storm surge is a rise in sea level that occurs during tropical cyclones, hurricanes, or other intense storms.
Importance of a Viable Drainage Plan for the South Maui Flood Plain
Importance of a Viable Drainage Plan for the South Maui Flood Plain A viable drainage plan for the South Maui floodplain is
Preserving Paradise The Maui County Wetlands Protection Bill and Its Impact
Preserving Paradise: The Maui County Wetlands Protection Bill and Its Impact Maui County, renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, has
Waipuilani Wetlands
This area once contained many permanent freshwater lagoons that were used for bathing. This area also once supported a large fishing and agricultural community. Today much of this area is
The risks of driving electric vehicles through flood waters
Driving electric vehicles (EVs) through floodwaters poses specific risks and challenges, which should be taken into consideration to ensure both the safety
Driving through flooded areas, Fast or Slow?
Driving through flooded areas requires careful consideration and adherence to safety guidelines. The following points highlight the best techniques for driving through
Turn Around Don’t Drown
Roadway flooding events are coming on Kihei and South Maui because of bad roads and a lack of drainage infrastructure. On the
Waipuilani Gulch is Clogged with Debris
We are not ready for the next storm. The Waipuilani Gulch is clogged with debris, and the landowners are not keeping the
Climate change and global warming are indeed affecting the weather in South Maui
Climate change and global warming are indeed affecting the weather in South Maui, leading to increased rates of evaporation and higher water
The Government’s Inaction on Climate Change: A Critique Focused on South Maui
The Government’s Inaction on Climate Change: A Critique Focused on South Maui Climate change is a global issue that requires immediate and
Preparing South Maui for a Future with Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
South Maui, Hawaii, is facing the imminent threats of climate change and sea level rise. These threats pose significant risks to property,
Preserving Green Spaces in the South Maui Floodplain
The Importance of Preserving Green Spaces in the South Maui Floodplain Abstract The preservation and maintenance of green spaces in the South
Adapting structures for Flooding in the Kihei Floodplain
Stormwater flooding is a natural occurrence. What is unnatural is that we are still building in the gulches, wetlands, flood zones, and
Flood protection walls and berms for Kihei, South Maui
Flooding in Kihei continues to impact homes, roads, and infrastructure. This article explores practical flood mitigation strategies including berms, flood protection walls, drainage improvements, and natural solutions designed for South
How to Protect Your Property from Flooding
How to Protect Your Property from Flooding: Practical Tips and Strategies Flooding is a common and costly disaster that can strike anywhere.
Kihei Beach Hotel increases its Flood Protection
The Kihei Beach Hotel in north Kihei is expanding its rock wall, presumably to be better protection during floods. For the past
Why gulch’s are important to Aquifer recharge
Gulches: Hidden Pathways for Hawaiʻi’s Aquifer Recharge Abstract Hawaiʻi’s unique landscape, shaped by volcanic activity, harbors a network of gulches—deep, narrow valleys
Buyer Beware most risks are not disclosed to new Homebuyers
Buyer Beware most risks are not disclosed to new Homebuyers, Buying a new home is an exciting proposition and a lifelong dream
South Maui is suffering from a Degraded Watershed
South Maui is suffering from a Degraded Watershed South Maui’s watershed is severely degraded due to poor soil management, overgrazing on uplands
Affordable Workforce Housing rules are being used to exploit vulnerable lands
Affordable Workforce Housing rules are being used to exploit vulnerable lands Developers are able to use Affordable Housing rules and “Pro affordable
Kulanihakoi Gulch at Risk
Kulanihakoi Gulch at Risk Kulanihakoi Gulch is at Risk of destruction because it is being sold off to [REMOVED]s. Kulanihakoi gulch is
Why Is Soil Erosion Such a Big Problem?
Why Is Soil Erosion Such a Big Problem? Soil loss is a problem for pollution and for the climate. Soil takes a
South Maui experienced flash flooding on Friday
Flash Flood in Kihei, Maui Today September 9th 2022: Kihei Roads Closed Due to Dangerous Flooding
Impacts to Watershed of the North South Collector Road Kihei
Impacts to Watershed of the North South Collector Road Kihei: This ongoing project has the potential to cause major changes to the
1144 South Kihei Road Kihei HI 96753
Kihei’s last remaining wetlands are our only flood protection: This site at 1144-south-kihei-road is not only a wetland, it is one of
Waipuilani (“Fongs”) Gulch Kihei Flooding
The Fong’s Gulch is the widest part of the makai end of Waipuilani Gulch, which is in the middle of our North Kihei neighborhoods. This is where the worst floods
Group intervenes over Welakahao project concerns
Protecting the rights of the water, and the cultural and traditional rights of the people are at the core of this issue.
Community Solutions for Flooding Issues
Impact Concerns for new construction projects near South Kihei road: These are areas of concern considered by many in the neighborhood. Although
Drainage Problems
What may surprise you to know is the many areas in Kihei do not have a stormwater drainage system. Kihei is built
Rising sea levels impacting shorelines
[beautiful_link_preview url=”https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2020/10/rising-seas-impacting-shores-and-it-will-only-get-worse/”]
About Kihei Flooding
About Kihei Flooding: Flooding often occurs during Kona storms is often associated with power outages, making the problems worse. Flooding can occur
When Disaster Strikes on Maui, What Then?
When disaster hits Maui, systems fail fast. Power goes out, water stops flowing, supply chains break, and help is not coming as quickly as people expect. What follows is not