Nobody’s been known to describe the Ala Wai as pristine. But these days neighbors have other choice words for the canal. People try to cover their nose as they walk across Kalakaua bridge. However, trying not to smell the stench from the Ala Wai is becoming a challenge. Residents say ever since the city began working on removing the temporary sewer pipe from the canal the smell is almost too much to bear.

“It doesn’t smell healthy. I’d be concerned about people’s health,” said Julie Youngblood walking along the Ala Wai.

“It’s disgusting today … I live right there, right by the canal and it’s not nice for people who live by the canal or walk by here,” said resident Curtis Curtis.

Honolulu’s mayor says the stink comes from natural fumes of the Ala Wai and not from the removal of the temporary wastewater pipe. …

Read Civil Beat’s related story, Teenage Girl to State: Clean Up the Ala Wai and Comply With Law.

Photo: KITV screen shot. (KITV)

—Chad Blair