VIDEO: Ala Wai Canal — Hawaii’s Biggest Mistake?

Historical photos and an interview with historian DeSoto Brown tell the story of the Ala Wai Canal.
By /
Reading time: 1 minute.

The designers and engineers who built the Ala Wai Canal nearly 100 years ago had little concept of the kind of pollution and flooding risks that are realities today.

Bishop Museum historian DeSoto Brown narrates this look at the history of the canal, the problems it’s created and the community discussion about its future.

 

About the Author

Top Stories

Hawaii’s Weak Biosecurity Is Threatening Maui’s Recovery Efforts David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii’s Weak Biosecurity Is Threatening Maui’s Recovery Efforts

Official Overseeing Hawaii School Facilities Is Out Amid Funding Controversy David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Official Overseeing Hawaii School Facilities Is Out Amid Funding Controversy

Hawaii Lobbyist Pleads Guilty To Illegal Drug Possession At Vet Clinic David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii Lobbyist Pleads Guilty To Illegal Drug Possession At Vet Clinic

Matthew Leonard: SBA Disaster Loans For Maui Fire Survivors Are About To Dry Up Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Matthew Leonard: SBA Disaster Loans For Maui Fire Survivors Are About To Dry Up

Beth Fukumoto: Possible Scenarios For Hawaii’s Republican Presidential Caucus Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat/2016

Beth Fukumoto: Possible Scenarios For Hawaii’s Republican Presidential Caucus

Honolulu Rejects Responsibility For ‘Outrageous’ Police Actions In Makaha Crash Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Rejects Responsibility For ‘Outrageous’ Police Actions In Makaha Crash

Neal Milner: Four Vignettes That Illuminate The Meaning Of The Holidays Getty Images/iStockphoto

Neal Milner: Four Vignettes That Illuminate The Meaning Of The Holidays

PHOTOS: Planting 1 Million Trees In Hawaii Begins With 200 Saplings Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

PHOTOS: Planting 1 Million Trees In Hawaii Begins With 200 Saplings