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Ala Wai canal - constructed from 1920 to 1928.
The
history of Waikiki is well summarized in Barry S. Nakamuras study of the
'reclamation' project that led to the dredging of the Ala Wai canal
by Walter Dillinghams Hawaiian Dredging Company. Nakamura shows
this massive, public-works project was falsely sold to the public as
a necessity for health reasons' - to eradicate the mosquito problem.
In fact, Dillingham and his political and business allies pushed through
the necessary legislation that destroyed the taro and rice farming that
was then flourishing in the area. Dillingham owned the only dredge capable
of doing the job, and he was subsequently paid an exorbitant fee by
the territorial government for his companys work. |
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In 1943
The Ala Wai Canal failed as a means of eradicating the mosquito problem!
In August 1943, four cases of dengue fever were reported in Waikiki
(they were transmitted by bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes). More
than 1,000 people were infected in the ensuing epidemic. On August 8,
the military declared a portion of Waikiki "out of bounds":
the area bordered by the ocean, the canal, and Ka'iulani Avenue.
In 2003
The
canal is currently a seriously polluted body of water.
see article about giant mantis shrimps |
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