HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	159
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO SEEK INPUT FROM COMMUNITIES THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE ALA WAI FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT.

WHEREAS, in recent decades, catastrophic floods have occurred more frequently throughout the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers developed the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project ("the Project") to address the potential effects of a catastrophic flood on the Ala Wai watershed; and

WHEREAS, the Project calls for the construction of detention basins in the Manoa and Palolo Valleys, Makiki, Kanewai Park, the Ala Wai Golf Course, and Ala Wai Park; and

WHEREAS, the Project also calls for construction of a solid, reinforced wall, to be four and one-half feet high and to surround portions of the Ala Wai Canal and Promenade; and

WHEREAS, the proposed wall and detention basin will impact numerous communities in the City and County of Honolulu, including Manoa Valley, Palolo Valley, Makiki, Tantalus, McCully, Moiliili, St. Louis Heights, Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Kapiolani, Ala Wai, Ala Moana, and Waikiki; and

WHEREAS, residents and property owners in these communities have expressed concerns regarding the construction of detention basins on private lands; proper maintenance of the basins to protect public health; the proposed construction of forty-five foot high industrial pump stations in and around the Ala Wai preservation area; and the construction of concrete walls along the perimeter of the Ala Wai Canal, which is listed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, many residents and property owners state that they did not receive proper notice of the Project and were not given an opportunity to respond to the Draft Report/Environmental Impact Statement; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the Senate concurring, that the United States Army Corps of Engineers is urged to seek input from communities who will be impacted by the project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Army Corps of Engineers is urged to reissue the Draft Report/Environmental Impact Statement for further public consideration and comments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project; USACE