WAILUKU, Maui — Inspections of 53 dams and reservoirs on Maui found no imminent danger to downstream areas, according to reports released yesterday by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

In fact, "Maui came through with flying colors," said Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee of the state Department of Defense, charged with ensuring the safety of Hawai'i's dams after the breach of Kaloko dam on Kaua'i in March that killed seven. "Compared with the rest of the state, the reservoirs and dams on Maui actually are pretty good."

Because the dams and reservoirs are in active use by agricultural interests or by the county for irrigation, drainage and water supplies, they are generally better monitored and maintained, Lee said.

At least half of the dams and reservoirs are owned by Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar or East Maui Irrigation, sister companies under the Alexander & Baldwin banner. Other owners include the county, Maui Land & Pineapple Co. and Ka'anapali Development Corp., which grows coffee and other crops on the former Pioneer Mill sugar land in West Maui.

Among the issues surrounding Kaloko and other privately owned dams on Kaua'i is that the landowners in many cases are not the primary users of the water, leaving questions about who is responsible for maintenance. That is not an issue on Maui, Lee said.

"(The Maui dams) seem like they are used," he said. "So when that happens, they are generally better maintained than ones that belong to rich people who say, 'Oh, I have a reservoir?' "

Wes Nohara of Maui Pineapple Co. said that unlike at the Kaloko site, synthetic liners are used at his company's reservoirs to prevent water from seeping into the dam crests and softening the soil, leading to a potential breach.

A large number of the Maui dams have a "high" hazard classification, meaning a failure could result in more than a few deaths and extensive damage to homes and businesses.

Most of the critical comments from the April dam inspections on Maui refer to overgrowth blocking visibility of the structures, and the owner's lack of a new or updated emergency action plan. One particular concern was tree growth on embankments, especially around a series of HC&S reservoirs.

"Trees have been identified as the probable cause of piping failures, and can possibly cause severe damage to the embankment if they are uprooted during high winds," the reports said.

At HC&S Reservoirs 20 in Hali'imaile and 22 in upper Pa'ia, inspectors also noted the dam crest was in poor condition, with several dips observed. The report said homes stood immediately downstream of Reservoir 20, which was built in 1913 and has a surface area of roughly 10 acres, and recommended the owner fill the low areas to establish a consistent crest elevation.

Inspectors also visited Reservoir 24 in upper Pa'ia, even though it has been kept dry since 1989 because of a prior overflow incident. Their report noted the downstream channel is too small to contain flow from the dam, making it a threat to homes on the flood plain downstream.

"These dams are an active part of our agricultural operation, and thus are operated, monitored and maintained on a regular and ongoing basis," said a statement from HC&S Plantation General Manager Steve Holaday. "The DLNR inspection reports confirm that there are no immediate threats to the safety of our dams. They do recommend further studies and maintenance activities, and we have already initiated follow-up activities accordingly."

The inspectors also traveled to Moloka'i to check the state Department of Agriculture's 95-acre Kualapu'u reservoir, which has a "high" hazard rating because it is near the Ho'olehua Homesteads. No immediate threat was noted, although tree removal was recommended on the up- and downslope areas.

The dam reports, a cooperative effort between DLNR and the Army Corps of Engineers, were based on limited visual inspections meant to determine any immediate hazards. Lee said the state will be following up with the dam owners to see if recommendations for repairs were followed.

Dam inspection documents for Kaua'i, the Big Island and O'ahu were released previously.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.