Update: DHHL Water Given the All Clear

DHHL News Release (Nov. 23)

Effective immediately, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is lifting the water usage restriction for Molokaʻi residents who receive their potable water from the Hoʻolehua reservoirs.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) completed the microbiological and chemical testing of the Hoʻolehua water system and has determined that it is safe to resume normal water usage and consumption.

“We would like to thank our homesteaders and the residents of Molokaʻi for their patience and understanding as well as Maui County, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Education for their continued cooperation in this matter,” said Jobie M. K. Masagatani, Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The DHHL issued a water usage advisory as a precautionary measure Tuesday, November 22, 2016, urging Moloka‘i residents seek alternative sources of water for drinking, cooking, and washing. The advisory was the result of vandalism to two of DHHL’s 3.5 million-gallon water storage tanks located just north of Kualapu‘u.

These water tanks serve approximately 1,800 consumers in the Ho‘olehua, Kala‘e, Kalama‘ula, and Pālā‘au communities, most of which are Hawaiian homesteaders.

The DHHL will continue to cooperate with Maui County Police Department in their ongoing investigation.

Nov. 22 Press Release about water advisory:

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) discovered today that both of their 3.5-million-gallon water storage tanks in Ho`olehua on the island of Molokai have been vandalized.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has been notified and is currently expediting water quality analyses at their State laboratory facilities to identify any potential contaminants.

Until the DOH completes their analyses, it is strongly recommended that residents seek alternative water sources for:

Drinking
Brushing teeth
Hand washing
Cooking
Dishwashing
Bathing
The DHHL is providing safe drinking potable water from the fire hydrant next to the Kulana ‘Ōiwi Conference Room located at 600 Maunaloa Highway for all Ho`olehua water system consumers.

The DHHL is notifying Ho‘olehua water system consumers individually. This notice will remain in effect until the DOH and DHHL receive water quality results. The health and safety of the Ho‘olehua water system consumers is of the utmost importance to the DHHL.