Water System That Nurtured Sugar Industry Designated a National Historic Landmark

摘要

The East Maui Irrigation System, a 74-mile-long network that helped launch sugar production as a major industry in Hawaii, was recognized by ASCE's National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program in a dedication ceremony held recently. The Society confers landmark status on civil engineering works that have made a significant contribution to the development of the nation and to the civil engineering profession. The East Maui Irrigation System demonstrated the feasibility of transporting water from steep tropical rain forests across difficult terrain to direr areas and is credited with triggering aqueduct construction throughout the state. Its network of ditches, tunnels, inverted siphons, and flumes is still a vital source of water after more than 120 years of operation.