Water woes eased in Big Island district
Star-Bulletin staff
A three-day water shortage for much of North Kohala ended yesterday afternoon when officials fixed one of two wells serving the Big Island district.
A pipe that had been out of service for several months at Hawi Deep Well No. 2 was replaced by 3:30 p.m., said Department of Water Supply spokeswoman Kris Aton. A separate pump at Hawi Deep Well No. 1 that failed Friday is expected to be repaired in two weeks, she said.
A mandatory 25 percent water restriction will remain in effect until the second well is working, Aton said. "We want to be sure we are conserving as much as possible in the event of another emergency," she said.
Kohala Elementary, Middle and High schools, which canceled classes yesterday, will reopen today, said Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen.
It is unclear how much the repairs will cost, officials said.
Six private tanker trucks were still taking water to the affected areas, and customers were warned to boil drinking water. The problem did not affect Makapala and Niulii because a different system serves those communities.