Officials say if the dam were to fail, it could cause life-threatening flooding in downstream communities, which is why safety measures remain in place. A Dole Spokesperson says that the water levels have since dropped to 82.1 feet, a sign that conditions are stabilizing.

Owner Dole Food Company Hawaii said in a statement, “These thresholds are intentionally conservative and based on the time required to safely evacuate downstream areas; they do not reflect a loss of structural integrity.

Authorities issued urgent evacuation orders on Oahu’s North Shore after a potential failure at Wahiawa Dam threatened life-threatening flooding. Residents in Haleiwa and Waialua were told to evacuate immediately as flooding was reported along nearby streams.

The private owner of a dam in Wahiawa that city officials warned could fail and endanger North Shore residents amid a deluge on Friday contends that the dam functioned as designed, is safe, and

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii’s new round of Kona low weather is testing nerves on Oʻahu’s North Shore, where Wahiawā Dam remains under close watch. Officials said at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 20, the dam had not failed, even as concerns grew overnight.

Hawaiʻi's proposal to acquire the dam, and have taxpayers foot the bill for repairs, let the company off the hook.