In 1903, the Waimea Ditch was dug to divert water from the Waimea River to nearby sugar cane fields. Construction of Waimea Ditch was completed in 1907.
During 1911-1912, George Ewart, the manager of the Waimea Sugar Company, reconfigured the Waimea Ditch by replacing the iron flumes with tunnels to increase its flow capacity.