Anahola is a small town located on the east side of Kaua‘i. Here, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) oversees four reservoirs that are regulated under the Hawaii Dam and Reservoir Safety Act of 2007, as well as one unregulated reservoir. DHHL’s primary mission includes improving the lives of Native Hawaiians and managing their extensive land trust, encompassing over 200,000 acres across several islands.
To fully grasp the reservoir transformation, it’s essential to look back at the past. Historically, the reservoirs belonged to a larger irrigation system that was once operated by plantations. The Līhu‘e Plantation had built an extensive system of stream diversions, reservoirs, dams, ditches, and pump stations to utilize surface water for its sugarcane fields. Water from the mauka (upland) areas was directed into the Kaneha Reservoir through the Anahola Stream, then redistributed to the fields via a network of smaller reservoirs. After Līhu‘e Plantation closed in 1997, the DHHL inherited this infrastructure, which subsequently fell into disrepair and now fills only during heavy rainfall.
In 2016, DHHL initiated the Anahola Reservoirs Remediation Project to enhance public safety and reduce maintenance costs. GBI was awarded the project, but after some redesigns and negotiations, work began in earnest on June 1, 2020. Remarkably, by November of the same year, the project was completed at a cost of $1.2 million—under budget and ahead of schedule. This included the decommissioning of the Lower Anahola and Kealia Field 2 Reservoirs.
Since the two reservoirs were decommissioned, the surrounding land has returned to a more natural state and water now flows unimpeded by the now-removed earthen dams.
Fast forward to 2024, where GBI is now in the final phase of the Anahola Reservoirs Improvement Project. Following a series of design changes, constructability reviews, and budget revisions, work is underway and includes the decommissioning of the two remaining reservoirs: the Kealia Field 1 Reservoir; and the Upper Anahola Reservoir. GBI’s scope of work includes nearly seven acres of heavy clearing and grubbing, 36,000 CY of excavation and embankment work, and 270,000 SF of erosion control matting.
As the project nears completion, DHHL and GBI, along with Bowers & Kubota, envision a restored Anahola—where revitalized waterways, rejuvenated habitats, and replenished resources strengthen the ties between the land, its people, and their culture. This project exemplifies GBI’s commitment to excellence in client relationships and positively impacting the community.
