The old Kaanapali Water Company sand filter tank is located at the entry of the Ka‘anapali Coffee Farms community. Photo by Kathleen Giambalvo

KAANAPALI — Lahaina’s love affair with all things historic continues with Kaanapali Land Management Corp.’s latest beautification project: the old Kaanapali Water Company Sand Filter Tank.

Located at the entry to the agricultural community of Ka’anapali Coffee Farms, the old filter tank on Wili Kope Road is a remnant of West Maui’s past, marking the transition from a once-thriving sugar plantation to resort development.

Built in the late 1950s, the sand filter water tank was constructed to serve the new Kaanapali Resort.

According to Kaanapali Water Company Superintendent Lloyd Akiona, “It was a definitely a time of progress with the tank helping to serve the needs of the new resort. It filtered the surface water for the resort’s domestic use, and a back-up well was used to assist during storms. Later, the system fed filtered, chlorinated water to Pu’ukoli’i Village.”

In the late 1980s, the filter tank was taken off-line as wells were drilled to meet the resort’s growing demand for potable water.

“It’s exciting to put a shine once more on landmarks that played an integral part in West Maui life,” said Howard Hanzawa, Kaanapali Land Management Corp. vice president.

“Our hope is that by preserving these sites, we help to ensure that the link to our past continues for future generations to enjoy.”