Since Tuesday, National Guard troops have removed more than a ton of brush, trees and dumped appliances from Eku Stream in Waianae, said Maj. Calvin Arroyo.

It is part of an effort to clear debris that could block the flow of water during heavy rain and lead to flooding in Waianae and on the North Shore. Civil Defense said much of the debris was washed down by the Dec. 11 storm.

Guard troops will be working for at least another two weeks on three other streams in Leeward Oahu. The cleanup moves to Mailiilii-Puuhulu Stream this week.

Chad Halstead, 25, an infantryman in the Guard, helped break up and clear what were described as “;beaver dams”; near his cousin Dude Kaaekuahiwi's property on Maiuu Road.

Kaaekuahiwi said debris in the normally dry river bed sent four feet of water onto his family's property during the Dec. 11 heavy rain.

“;The river changed direction and shot straight through,”; he said.

Kaaekuahiwi said his family cleared one dam but did not touch the other two because they were on private property.

According to Civil Defense, 10 residents along Eku Stream suffered damage to their homes during the flooding.

Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Waianae-Makua) said many residents who live near streams have not felt safe since the Dec. 11 flooding.

Shimabukuro said the state is spending about $441,500 on the cleanup of Eku, Makaha, Mailiilii-Puuhulu and Kaupuni-Kawiwi streams.

About 40 soldiers are involved in the cleanup. “;It's a lot of gratification from the community. We had a lot of local folks bring us food and snacks. It's a humbling experience,”; said Sgt. 1st Class Sal Hernandez.

Eku Stream, about 8 feet wide in some parts, was blocked with dams that were about 5 feet tall and about 4 feet wide at the base.

Hernandez said soldiers used chain saws and machetes to cut up the dams over five miles of the stream bed.

Ed Teixeira, vice director of the state Civil Defense, said there could be at least one stream in Haleiwa and one in Laiea that also need to be cleared, and more might need to be done.

“;The more and more people hear about this, the more and more requests we get,”; he said.

Because the streams run through private property, the National Guard is only clearing up blockages that pose a danger to property or life, said Shelly Ichishita, a Civil Defense spokeswoman.

Shimabukuro said she is working on a bill that would allow government officials automatic permission to enter streams for emergencies and public safety.

“;One of the delays to get the debris cleared is the need to obtain written consent from all the landowners since the majority of the streams are privately owned,”; Shimabukuro said in a written news release.

Teixeira said residents and landowners have to take some responsibility for making sure the streams are clear.

He is planning a community cleanup next month to get residents and landowners to help out and raise awareness of the need to keep streams clear and prevent flooding.

“;The National Guard can't do it all, and they should not do it all,”; he said. “;That's why I'm trying to make this a community effort.”;