A lot of dams and levies in the US were built before Big Government took over a lot of local and state duties. Companies, communities, counties, states. And other entities. it suited them and usually benefited others in ways above and beyond simple "let's keep workplaces dry or safe. Ish."
They were deemed a public good. If a river/stream on XYZ's land would flood neighbors' (and XYZ's) land, the dam was Good with free benefits to the locals. They didn't need to build it--even if the law allowed it. And was the stream owner responsible for an "act of God"? No. Floods happened since forever, not since ownership deeds existed and applied, in this case, to HI. "Outsiders" benefited for many a year. Often a dam would provide irrigation for farming (jobs3), but often locals would use the water behind the dam. So this Dole dam, it did the damnable work of protecting locals for 120 years, free of charge. Perhaps they should bill for back possible-harm, plus interest?
When it stopped being of interest to XYZ or XYZ couldn't afford to maintain it, there should have been discussions. But that would increase public liability, or at least shift it. It was assumed the owner maintained the public good--but if it wasn't in the owners interest, why? They'd get an expense without even any acknowledgement that the evil corporation was doing something that benefited the public even as public rhetoric against corporations--all of which is comprised of people like you and me--ramped up from time to time. I mean, my response would be, "screw you. Why should I invest money for your good when all you do is diss me?!?"
Then again, there's institutional amnesia. After 100 years, something needing maintenance simply falls to the last 3 on the 'needs maintenance' list and the next year is just dropped. Esp. if uninteresting, unrewarding or unprofitable.
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