New storm increases flood concerns at Otake Camp

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Incoming storm Tropical Depression Two-C has increased anxiety for families below Lake Wilson in Wahiawa, which saw major flooding during the March Kona low storms.

Read more State braces for incoming storm as Lala cleanup continues on Hawaii Island

The Kaukonakuna Stream by Otake Camp is known to flood during heavy rain. During the Kona lows, an advisory was issued when Lake Wilson reached roughly 82 to 83 feet.

The concern also comes days after Lala, which passed Hawaii Island as a Category 1 hurricane and over Oahu as a tropical storm, bringing heavy rains and strong winds across the state.

A depth gauge near the stream tracks how high the water gets, which is important because the stream is connected to Lake Wilson, where water levels are being watched closely ahead of more rain.

As of about 1:35 p.m., the reservoir was at 78.10 feet, just about four feet below those levels.

Darren Yuu, a Waialua resident, said he’s worried about what happens if those levels rise too quickly.

“They need to drop this at a reasonable rate in preparation for all this rain coming, and there’s another system behind it,” he said. “Any elementary kid could tell you if the glass or the bowl is full of water, what happens if you add more water? It will overflow.”

Read more Hurricane Lala dumped enough rain on Hawaii to fill 1.9 million Olympic swimming pools

Yuu also expressed his frustration at those in charge of the dam.

“Why can’t our politicians and people in charge who go to school to get master’s and doctorates degrees, can’t figure common sense things like that? Like, hey, it’s full. It was just empty four days ago. What do we do now? Pour it out?” he added.

City officials said it is preparing for the incoming weather.

Department of Facility Maintenance crews will monitor conditions and open stream mouths around Oahu as needed, based on the low-tide mark.

Crews are also on standby around the clock and ready to respond to flooding or other storm-related issues.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Hawaii’s adjutant general, said Hawaii National Guard teams will be in the area out of an abundance of caution.

“We’re going to put National Guard teams there and high-water vehicles to be able to physically monitor some of the levels on the dams and the reservoirs that gave us some problems before,” he said. “This is out of an abundance of caution right now, but we thought it was a best practice.”

The city says its response can change depending on the forecast, conditions on the ground and where the greatest need is.

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