County closely monitoring Waimea River mouth

Published on July 12, 2026

WAIMEA – The County of Kauaʻi is monitoring conditions at the Waimea River mouth, where the river’s outlet has shifted westward and is flowing along the beach closer to nearby homes and property.

County Public Works personnel are assessing and documenting current conditions, while the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency is coordinating requests for specialized technical assistance.

“The safety of the community is our highest priority,” said KEMA Administrator Elton Ushio. “This situation goes beyond routine clearing of the river mouth, and any action affecting the channel must be guided by appropriate engineering and regulatory expertise to avoid unintentionally worsening erosion or impacts to nearby property.”

At this time, there are no reports of injuries, evacuations, or property damage.

On Sunday, July 12, KEMA submitted a formal Request for Assistance to the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency seeking State-coordinated engineering, regulatory, and operational support, including coordination with federal partners as appropriate, to assess the condition and identify a safe and appropriate path forward.

County teams are continuing to document conditions at the river mouth. The Kauaʻi Police Department drone team is also assisting with aerial imagery to support assessment, mapping, and monitoring efforts.

The public is urged to use caution and remain clear of the active river channel and immediate river-mouth area while assessments are underway.

Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, visit kauai.gov/kema and click on “Notification Services,” or contact the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800 or kema@kauai.gov.

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