It’s time to accept the fact that Kihei’s oceanfront properties were built on wetlands, and that the channels are insufficient to handle the flood flows. Further, there is no room to increase the size of the channels. It is past time to fix the problems, and with climate change, the engineering solutions we plan today way well be obsolete a few years down the line.

Massive mauka flood detention basins are needed to mitigate the problems, but are unlikely to completely solve them. That said, there are a couple of problems that can be solved by undoing man-made barriers. Two of the worst of the man-caused problems are the bridges at Kaonoulu Street and at Maalaea Surf, near Kenolio Road and South Kihei Road.

Those bridges restrict the flood flows, thereby causing the flows to spread out and flood the surrounding roads and properties, and creating massive cleanup problems. Are higher bridges the answer? To create bridges high enough at both locations would cost millions and would have to start much farther back than the current bridges to achieve the height necessary to permit the flow of flood waters.

Why not accept the fact that flood flows will happen a few times a year and allow the flows to pass though unimpeded by bridges?

Why not consider removing the bridges and replacing them with dips in the road which would allow flood waters to pass through? Yes, traffic would have to be diverted during floods, but currently that happens anyway because of the mud and debris.

Gary Elster

Wailuku