REPORT FROM THE CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU —The City and County of Honolulu received federal approval to construct a Kaneohe-Kailua gravity tunnel and associated influent pump station instead of the Kaneohe-Kailua Force Main and two multi-million gallon storage tanks. Eliminating the storage tanks will result in significant cost savings.
The tunnel, estimated at 10 to 13 feet in diameter, will start at the Kaneohe Pre-Treatment Facility and traverse 3.2 miles to the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The City conducted several public information meetings with members of the Windward Oahu community to explain the options and take into account their input and concerns. The Environmental Impact Statement showed no significant impacts along the route.
The project is expected to begin this December with demolition. The construction of the tunnel is expected to follow in December 2013. The scheduled completion date is June 30, 2018.