Ala Moana Wastewater Pump Station Force Mains #3 & #4
This project involved connecting the Ala Moana Wastewater Pump Station to the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant through two parallel 7,500-foot, 63-inch pipes serving over half of Honolulu. The design featured innovative solutions, including a force main system 85 feet below sea level, crossing Honolulu Harbor while maintaining continuous operation of the existing system. Cutting-edge 3D modeling and the use of a Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine (VSM) — a first in the U.S. — were key highlights. Completed on time and under budget, the project earned four local awards and one national award.
Video Credit: Hawaii News Now
Reporter: Jim Mendoza
Date Televised: March 11, 2019
Pearl Harbor Channel Underwater Waterline Crossing
This project replaced a critical 65-year-old, 24-inch cast-iron water main serving Ford Island and the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex. After a 2006 anchor strike exposed its vulnerability, a new 24-inch fusible PVC pipeline was installed beneath Pearl Harbor using horizontal directional drilling. The 3,500-foot crossing eliminated the need for surface-laid pipe and minimized environmental impact. Despite challenges with varying subsurface conditions and high thrust forces, the project significantly improved the Navy's water system reliability and resilience.
Kāne‘ohe Bay Drive Trunk Sewer Reconstruction
This project addressed severe deterioration and accessibility issues in the Kāne‘ohe Bay Drive trunk sewer system, which serves residential neighborhoods near the southeastern end of Kane'ohe Bay. The existing sewer lines, located within difficult-to-access easements behind private homes, had generated frequent odor complaints and posed maintenance challenges. This project involved constructing 1,600 feet of new 15-inch and 18-inch sewer trunk lines along public roadways, replacing the deteriorated lines. Additional work included cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation of corroded 21-inch and 24-inch influent lines, as well as the reconstruction and lining of smaller collection system segments. These upgrades resolved structural and hydraulic deficiencies, improved long-term reliability, and reduced saltwater infiltration and community disruption.
Ford Island Waterline Replacement
This project replaced an aging and vulnerable 24-inch water transmission main serving Ford Island and the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex. To avoid disruption to naval operations and the surrounding environment, a 5,000-foot under-channel crossing was completed using an innovative dual-bore horizontal directional drilling (HDD) method with an underwater splice — minimizing environmental impact while navigating complex subsurface and structural challenges near the Admiral Clarey Bridge. Fukunaga & Associates led the design and project coordination under NAVFAC Pacific, delivering a system with enhanced reliability, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. The $12 million project was completed under budget and now serves as a model for extending HDD techniques beyond conventional limits.
FY01 MCON Project P-491, Sewer Force Main — Ford Island to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
This project supported the Navy's long-term vision for Ford Island by constructing a new 6,000-foot, 20-inch HDPE sewage force main beneath Pearl Harbor's Main Channel using horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The new line provides critical redundancy and increased capacity for future development, while protecting the harbor environment and preserving historic sites. This marked the first submarine HDD crossing at Pearl Harbor and included one of the longest HDPE pipe pulls attempted at the time. The project also involved renovation of the Ford Island pump station and an innovative bypass system to maintain uninterrupted wastewater service throughout construction.
Long Range Sewer Rehabilitation Plan
In response to a 1992 EPA Notice of Violation for repeated sewage spills, the City and County of Honolulu partnered with Fukunaga & Associates to develop a comprehensive Long Range Sewer Rehabilitation Plan. Mandated by a 1995 Federal Consent Decree, the plan addressed aging infrastructure, infiltration and inflow (I/I), and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) across Honolulu's 1,800-mile wastewater collection system. It outlined a 20-year strategy to correct deficiencies, accommodate future growth, and improve public health protection. Completed on time and approved by the EPA, the plan was recognized by EPA Region IX as a model program for large-scale sewer system rehabilitation.
Kīhei Effluent Reuse System
To reduce reliance on potable water for irrigation in South Maui, the County of Maui, with assistance from Fukunaga & Associates, developed the Kīhei Effluent Reuse System to store, treat, and distribute R-1 quality reclaimed water. The system was constructed in two phases: the Core System and Distribution System Phase 1. Improvements included expanded storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, utilizing the upgraded Kīhei Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF), which produces high-quality R-1 effluent. Funded in part by a State Revolving Fund loan, the project delivered cost-effective water reuse capabilities and extended reclaimed water access to northern Kīhei, reducing potable water demand and supporting sustainable resource use.