Wahiawā Dam Takeover: Hawaii Agency Signs Off On Acquisition

Hawaii Moves Forward with $4.9 Million Purchase of Historic Wahiawā Dam

The Hawaiʻi Agribusiness Development Corporation has unanimously approved a $4.9 million purchase of land containing the 120-year-old Wahiawā dam and spillway, marking a significant step in the state’s acquisition of an extensive irrigation system running from Wahiawā to the North Shore.

The decision, made during Wednesday’s board meeting, advances the complex multi-agency transaction involving more than 140 acres of land before a June 30 deadline. Once complete, the state will face the considerable challenge of making the hazardous dam safe and restoring both the Wahiawā reservoir and miles of irrigation lines—a project expected to cost tens of millions of dollars.

The acquisition follows over a decade of Dole Food Company failing to address safety deficiencies in the plantation-era structure. The state began negotiations with the multinational corporation, valued at nearly $1.5 billion, in 2023 after Dole claimed it could not afford the necessary repairs.

While this purchase represents significant progress, additional negotiations with Dole regarding land near the spillway remain pending. The Department of Land and Natural Resources has already committed to assuming control of the Wahiawā Reservoir, also known as Lake Wilson.

The urgency of addressing the dam’s condition was highlighted during last month’s Kona storms, when record rainfall filled the reservoir to within three feet of its capacity, forcing the evacuation of thousands of North Shore residents. The earthen structure currently holds the second-lowest federal safety rating coupled with the highest hazard classification, indicating catastrophic consequences should it fail—though Dole has dismissed community concerns as exaggerated.

During Wednesday’s meeting, board members extensively discussed the true costs of restoring and managing the system. Board chair Jayson Watts emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Come July 1, this is going to be your responsibility, and the life and property.”

The financial scope of the project has expanded dramatically since lawmakers initially allocated $21 million for negotiations with Dole in 2023. Governor Josh Green recently requested an additional $43 million from the Legislature to improve the dam and spillway, along with environmental remediation work. ADC senior executive assistant Mark Takemoto acknowledged the presence of lead and fuel contamination on the acquired lands but maintained that these findings shouldn’t impede the acquisition process.

Dole estimates restoration costs at approximately $35 million, with annual maintenance and operations requiring $2.5 million. “There’s no big ticket, hidden repairs coming,” assured Trisha Kehaulani Watson, one of Dole’s consultants.

The acquisition package includes two smaller reservoirs below the main dam and spillway—also in poor condition—plus roughly 25 miles of irrigation lines currently supplying about 9,500 acres with 5 billion gallons annually.

Despite the substantial upfront costs, state officials see potential for the system to generate revenue once restored. The irrigation water currently brings in approximately $1 million annually, and lawmakers have identified hydropower generation as a possible addition. Watson noted that even Dole might become one of the state’s paying customers, as the irrigation system feeds more than 2,600 acres of the company’s agricultural land adjacent to its plantation and pineapple maze.

If fully restored, the system could potentially irrigate up to 17,000 acres. There are also plans to improve water quality in the system, which currently only distributes non-potable agricultural water.

The transaction’s complexity extends to the current ownership structure, which includes Sustainable Hawaiʻi LLC, owned by local attorney Howard Greene. The board has approved purchasing Greene’s 142.5 acres containing the dam and spillway for $4.9 million, while Dole has agreed to donate its interest in the land to the state.

Wednesday’s vote authorizes the agribusiness agency to enter final negotiations with both parties, with ADC staff likely returning in May to request final approval of terms. Once purchased, the agency will transfer ownership to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity for repairs before eventually regaining control.

The state’s interest in the dam dates back to the late 1990s when Dole first sought buyers, with residents worried about water costs increasing under private ownership. The Legislature ultimately determined in 2023 that state stewardship represented the best path forward for the dam and reservoir.

Former DLNR directors had previously viewed Lake Wilson as a liability rather than an asset given the rehabilitation costs, in contrast to Dole’s framing of the transfer as “a gift.” Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, whose district includes Wahiawā, has supported state acquisition partly due to potential hydroelectric generation capabilities.

When the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted on acquiring the reservoir last month, several members noted the system was never designed for flood control, with one member voting against the transfer while criticizing Dole for failing to complete previously planned remediation work.