What was the purpose of the Ala Wai Canal?

The Ala Wai Canal is an artificial waterway in Honolulu, Hawaii which serves as the northern boundary of the tourist district of Waikiki. It was created in 1928 to drain the rice paddies and swamps which would eventually become Waikiki.

Why is the Ala Wai Canal so dirty?

Urbanization brought major pollution problems to the Ala Wai Canal. Runoff from streets and fast-growing growing neighborhoods, including trash and chemicals, flowed downhill from Makiki, Palolo and Manoa into the canal and out into the boat harbor.

Is the Ala Wai fresh water?

A frequent recommendation, in fact, is that the water in the Ala Wai be disinfected before entering Mamala Bay. The Ala Wai is not a natural stream. Rather, it was dug in the 1920s to drain the wetlands of Waikiki and allow more intensive development of the area.

How much does it cost to build a heliport?

Construction costs of landing sites are more moderate; SFO estimates that the cost of its fully developed heliport facilities averaged $25,000,11 and Helicabs, Inc., set the cost of a ground-level helistop at about $3,000.

Is the Ala Wai Canal polluted?

Honolulu’s Ala Wai canal is one of the most polluted waterways in the country. It’s so contaminated that in 2006, a local resident died from bacterial infection after falling into the Ala Wai boat harbor.

Can you swim in the Ala Wai Canal?

People don’t swim in the Ala Wai anymore. Contact with its murky water—filled with bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides, and who knows what else—can be hazardous to your health.

Is Ala Moana Beach dirty?

The sand is clean and soft. Depending on where you enter the water there may be some rocks.

What is the Ala Wai flood risk management project?

The Ala Wai Flood Risk Management (FRM) project began in 1999 and was authorized and funded for design and construction in 2018. A 2020 Engineering Documentation Report (EDR) provided the technical basis for modifications necessary to the authorized project.

What is the Ala Wai Canal feasibility cost sharing agreement?

On June 30, 2021, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City and County of Honolulu (City) signed a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) for the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study.

What is the general reevaluation study of the Ala Wai watershed?

The general reevaluation study of the Ala Wai watershed will incorporate existing, verified technical analysis along with a full reassessment of potential measures to mitigate flood risk.

Why is the Ala Wai watershed so dangerous?

The Ala Wai Watershed is at high risk for widespread flooding across the basin. The risk of flooding endangers the lives and livelihoods of the 200,000 residents living along the Makiki, Mānoa, and Pālolo streams, the Ala Wai Canal, and the wider community within the City and County of Honolulu.