48 Million Gallon Sewage Disaster in Waikiki

A 44-day streak of heavy rains and flash flooding, an old pipe and aging sewer system, as well as construction with pile driving just one block away all likely contributed to the sewer main break, city officials say.

But it isn?t just the sewage water that stinks, say critics of the local government?s handling of the crisis. Residents say they are outraged that the city dumped 48 million gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal after a major sewer pipe burst underground in Waikiki. Visitors are furious that the state Department of Health took so long to post warnings at the beaches when tests showed the ocean was contaminated with bacteria counts thousands of levels above what state officials consider safe.