Gulches

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

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

NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE: These last remaining wetlands in Kihei are nature’s drainage infrastructure. If we lose this wetland the neighborhood will be underwater when the next flooding rains come.

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

A documented historic site in Kihei, the Waiohuli Corral (SIHP 5233), has been removed during recent development. A look at cultural loss, land alteration, and increased flood risk in South Maui.

Historical site destroyed: Waiohuli Corral

A large historic stone enclosure above Waipuilani Gulch in Kihei—identified as the Waiohuli Corral (SIHP 5233)—has been removed during recent development. This loss highlights a growing pattern of cultural erasure,

kulanihakoi elevated roadway concept showing raised road allowing floodwater to pass beneath in kihei maui

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

Kihei stormwater drains culverts and gulches clogged with silt reducing drainage capacity and increasing flood risk

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 concept showing full-width flood conveyance crossing over gulch in Kihei with surrounding residential neighborhoods

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

South Maui flooding in Kihei during intense Kona storm with heavy rain over Haleakala and flooded South Kihei Road

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

Kihei watershed includes water flowing from Haleakalā and surrounding uplands through gulches across the floodplain into coastal wetlands and the ocean

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.

North Kīhei flood damage with vehicle in drainage channel, debris blocking bridges, flooded roads, and stormwater overflow after Maui storm

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

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

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

The Waipuilani Kai Wetland usually has permanent spring-fed surface water (foreground area).

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

Ancient Hawaiian Fishponds of Kihei

The ancient fishponds of Kīhei form a sophisticated royal aquaculture system integrating freshwater springs, wetlands, and reef ecosystems. At least four major fishponds—and likely more—still leave visible traces along 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

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

Pictured: Waipuilani Gulch, Kihei, Piilani Highway Bridge.

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

Developers are still bulldozing Kihei wetlands in 2023

The year is 2023 and developers are still bulldozing wetlands in Kihei. South Maui only has a fraction of its once-extensive Wetlands

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

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