|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
287 |
|
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
||
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, WORKING JOINTLY WITH THE COUNTIES AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES FOR STREAMS IN THE KANEOHE AREA.
WHEREAS, Kaneohe, Oahu, is an area of little hills with many streams including the Wailele, Hiilaniwai, Kahuaiki, Mamalahoa and Kawa streams; and
WHEREAS, these streams are fed by an average rainfall of approximately forty to sixty inches of rain that often results in torrential downpours that overflow stream banks and flood low-lying areas; and
WHEREAS, the most frequent and severe flooding occurs where steep sloping hillsides along the Koolau mountain range abruptly meet flat or low-lying coastal plain areas; and
WHEREAS, past floods have caused severe damage to personal and real property and have placed residents in eminent danger; and
WHEREAS, flood mitigation measures can minimize or prevent the damage caused by overflowing stream banks and flooding; and
WHEREAS, the State and counties, however, cannot initiate flood mitigation measures because portions of the flooding streams are privately owned and accurate information on the flooding in the Kaneohe area is lacking; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Chairperson of Board of Land and Natural Resources, working jointly with the state civil defense and the civil defense agency of each county and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, are requested to conduct a study to determine:
(1) Which of the streams in Kaneohe have flooded in the past or are prone to flooding in the future;
(2) What type of mitigation measures would have prevented or minimized flooding in the past and thereby reduced or prevented property damage;
(3) Which streams, or what portions of each stream in Kaneohe, are privately owned;
(4) If privately owned streams or portions thereof should be acquired by the State or counties through the condemnation process; and
(5) What measures, including any legislation, are necessary to initiate mitigation measures to prevent or reduce flooding of these privately owned streams; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, working jointly with the counties and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, are requested to submit a report of any findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the state Director of Civil Defense, the Attorney General, and the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of each county.
Report Title:
Flood Mitigation Measures