The TBM S-172 (weight 160 t, diameter 3.96m) built by Herrenknecht and named Pohakulani, meaning “Rock girl from the heavens” - is ready to start excavation of the  4.8 km-long Kaneohe-Kailua gravity sewer tunnel project in Hawaii. The TBM will bore up to 4.57 m-diameter. A 3.05 m-diameter liner pipe will be installed into the bored tunnel.

The Kaneohe-Kailua gravity sewer tunnel project will convey wastewater flows from Kaneohe Wastewater Pre-Treatment Facility (WWPTF) at a depth of approximately 10.67 m below ground level to Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), ending approximately 18.90 m below ground level and storing wastewater to prevent overflows and spills, especially during storm conditions.

At the end of 2013, the USD175 million contract for the Kaneohe-Kailua gravity sewer tunnel project was awarded to the Southland Mole JV (Southland Contracting, Inc. and Mole Construction, Inc). The construction management contract was awarded to local firm Bowers + Kubota. Visit www.kktunnel.org. 18/15.