![]() He keeps a spigot slightly open in case a momentary surge of water comes through the ditch system from the Hawaii County system. Lance Caspary, owner of Kohala Crawfish Farm, gets even less water. "It's been one nightmare after another," he said. "That mountain is still sliding," Gomes said.ĭownstream, customers get a small amount of water from a Surety well, keeping businesses like Kohala Nursery going and providing drinking water through a recent drought for Ed Boteilho's 1,500 dairy cattle.īut Boteilho had no water to irrigate pastures, so he had to buy feed. The ditch is entirely gravity-fed, but debris upstream is preventing any flow at present. ![]() The ditch company spent $375,000 rebuilding the 131-foot Flume No. Creation of the ditch company as a Surety subsidiary ensures that repair money will not be mingled with Surety money, Gomes said.Ĭurrent funding includes $2 million in federal money, $500,000 from the state, $500,000 from Hawaii County, $342,000 from Kamehameha Schools, and $100,000 from AT&T. Gomes is certain another company will resume kayaking once the ditch is repaired, expected early next year.Ī major difficulty was getting public money to repair a private system. Repairs to the flume, damaged in last year's earthquake, were completed two weeks ago. ![]() 16 in a field near Waikaolapala Valley in North Kohala. RICHARD WALKER / Gomes, president of Kohala Ditch Co., stands amid damaged parts of water Flume No. The kayak company immediately went out of business when the quakes cut water to zero. The moneymaker from the ditch was not agriculture but Flumin' Da Ditch, a tourism company that paid $180,000 a year to Surety to let tourists paddle the ditch in kayaks, compared with $60,000 per year in water sales. which owns a new subsidiary called the Kohala Ditch Co. Gradually, portions of the 22.5-mile system of tunnels, flumes, pipes and the ditch itself were abandoned, reducing the system to 15 miles, said Mike Gomes, head of Surety Kohala Corp. went out of business in 1975, the ditch serving it was also unprofitable. ![]() Even there, the recovery has been due to temporary repairs. Only at the Upper Hamakua Ditch in the Waimea area has service to farmers been completely restored, said state agriculture official Brian Kau. The jolts cut off water in an hour, and farmers are still waiting for millions of dollars worth of new repairs. In the nearby Hamakua District, years of repairing the Lower Hamakua Ditch had finally brought water to the entire 24-mile length of the system before the Oct. 16 of the Kohala Ditch on the Big Island was completed two weeks ago, a major step in repairing the earthquake-damaged irrigation system and a major step in saving agriculture in North Kohala. Tour information and pricing was current when posted but is subject to change.By Rod Hawaii » Rebuilding of Flume No. Offered daily at 8 AM, 9 AM, 12:15 PM, and 1:15 PM Today, you’ll float along 3 miles of the supply system and enjoy lush private property, beautiful natural streams, and plenty of wonders exclusive to Hawaii and the Big Island. ![]() Perfect for families and groups seeking adventure, Flumin Kohala offers a speedy tour of a 110-year old, handmade system of tunnels, flumes, and channels that previously supplied water to sugar plantations previously prevalent throughout the region. Locally-owned and Hawaiian-operated, Flumin’ Kohala is a major attraction along the northern end of the Big Island. You’re certain to get wet on a Flumin Kohala tour, so dress appropriately, but your experience (and the photo opportunities provided) will leave you and your family with memories that will last a lifetime. Set upon a century-old irrigation system, Flumin Kohala sets their guests along a leisurely kayaking trip across three miles throughout lush private property, lazy streams, and incredible natural wonders.Įnjoy a relaxing kayaking float with your entire party and take in the natural wonders of Hawaii from a comfortable, active perspective. A unique adventure utilizing historic elements of industrial Hawaii, Flumin Kohala offers a tremendous outdoor adventure in the northern region of Kohala on Hawaii’s Big Island. ![]()
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