KAILUA-KONA>> The Hawaii County Board of Water Supply is set to consider a request for a 73-day extension to complete repairs at the earthquake-damaged Waikoloa Reservoir 2.

The water board staff says the request to be heard tomorrow is justified.

The 50-million-gallon reservoir has been empty since October 2006 when a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit off the Big Island, shaking the entire state.

Construction to repair the reservoir began in February 2009. But there have been a number of setbacks caused by inclement weather, change orders to investigate additional damage and delays in the arrival of materials.

The project is estimated to cost nearly $2 million, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency picking up about $900,000 of the tab.