Public Safety

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

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

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

Flooded roadway with stranded vehicles, damaged pavement, and stormwater overflow impacting homes in a coastal South Maui setting

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.

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

muddy flooded shoulder along South Kihei Road in Kihei Hawaii forcing pedestrian to walk beside traffic after storm

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.

car driving too fast through flooded residential street creating waves that push water toward homes and property in Kihei Hawaii

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

Don’t Panic, Prepare: The Real Danger in Tsunami Evacuations Isn’t the Ocean — It’s Us

🚨 Don’t Panic, Prepare: The Real Danger in Tsunami Evacuations Isn’t the Ocean — It’s Us Last night in Kihei, during the

Dangers of South Maui’s Limited Road System

Dangers of South Maui’s Limited Road System South Maui’s road infrastructure is heavily reliant on two main roads: Piilani Highway and South

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

Damage in the harbor of Lahaina on the island of Maui following a devastating wildfire, via the U.S. Coast Guard

Fast-tracking Development after Wildfires is Harmful to our Communities

Our island community needs to step forward to protect victims and wildfire survivors, for their immediate short-term needs, as well as their

Hawaii Fires Was Maui’s Emergency Operations Chief In Over His Head?

Herman Andaya was not an expert in emergency management when he was hired to lead the Maui Emergency Management Agency in 2017.

Protecting Lahaina After Wildfires

Protecting Lahaina post-wildfires Does Mayor Bisson need to declare an emergency moratorium on real estate sales in Lahaina and the affected Wildfire

Sharks of Kihei

Sharks are Real. Take care out there. #sharksofkihei This is Shark Season in Hawaii: This season is known by Hawaiians to be

Contaminated Drinking Water

Access to Safe Drinking Water One of the biggest issues that we humans are facing is access to a reliable source of

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

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