Named originally for political reasons the "Kaneohe-Kailua Dam," the reservoir dedicated in 1980 formed a lake on Kamo`oali`i Stream in what was the Ho'omaluhia Recreation Area and has since become the Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden. An aerial photograph of the dam and reservoir soon after completion is provided by the Army Corps of Engineers -- Pacific Ocean Division, responsible for its construction.

This ACOE project was undertaken for flood control after disastrous flooding of Keapuka subdivision in 1965 and 1969. Consequently, the water level in the impoundment is maintained low relative to the top of the dam. The difference between the water level and the spillway elevation is the capacity of the basin to retain flood waters in the event of extreme rains falling on the upper Kane`ohe watershed.

	The earthen dam was constructed with two outlet structures (as are most dams). The outlet structure shown at left, at the base of the dam (the grassy slope behind), carries the normal discharge of the streams flowing into the reservoir through the dam to Kamo`oali`i Stream. The wall on the right is part of the spillway or overflow structure.
In the photograph on the right, the spillway is shown where it empties into Kamo`oali`i Stream beside the dam's outlet structure. Below, looking up the spillway, it's massive size can be appreciated.	Luluku Stream joins Kamo`oali`i Stream just down from the spillway structure (see Photo 14 below - Luluku is the concrete channel beside the house in the background). It seems reasonable to regard the stream channels below the dam as comprising the lower reach of the Kane`ohe-Kamo`oali`i system.
Links for Ho`omaluhia in Kane`ohe Art photographs of plants in the gardens Views from the dam in all directions (HGA). Views of the spillway (HGA)