CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM A water main broke Sunday evening next to the Waikiki Landmark on Ala Wai Boulevard.

Water main break ‘blows up’ Ala Wai

Water was restored to residents and businesses at the Waikiki Landmark condominium yesterday after crew members repaired a 16-inch water main that ruptured over the weekend.

The main broke at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday on a section of Ala Wai Boulevard between McCully Street and Kalakaua Avenue. A supervisor said fire hydrant replacement work was being done on Kalakaua Avenue near the building when a sinkhole on Ala Wai Boulevard "blew up."

A police officer observed the water from the main and notified crew members, said Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Su Shin.

A water wagon was attached to the building yesterday while repairs were made. To make repairs to the line, crew members from Grace Pacific Corp. dug a trench about 8 feet deep and almost 20 feet wide into the road.

Water service was restored at about 12:30 p.m., and repairs to the water main were completed about a half-hour later.

Crew members were to complete pavement work last night. "If all goes well, we'll be off the road by morning rush hour," Shin said.

Several businesses at the Waikiki Landmark, 1888 Kalakaua Ave., were inconvenienced in the morning by the rupture but continued to accommodate customers.

Water service was slow-going.

Despite low water pressure at the Internet Lounge, employees were able to serve coffee to patrons. "Everything is working, but we have to limit the water because it's for the whole building, too," said manager Maura Cummings.

The International School of Beauty & Esthetique was forced to cancel morning classes but resumed evening classes after water was restored.

At Enterprise Rent-a-Car, employees fielded a stream of calls after some residents and tourists who were due to return their rental cars yesterday were met with cones blocking off the entrance to the parking structure. Before Enterprise branch rental manager Lauren Teranishi headed into work, she recalled hearing of the water main break from the morning news.

"You got to be kidding me. Not today," Teranishi said. "We get a lot of returns on Mondays."