HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

81

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

PROPOSED

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO DRAIN AND CLEAR STREAMS AND CANALS THAT FLOW IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN WAIAHOLE AND OTHER KOOLAULOA COMMUNITIES.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, streams and canals on the island of Oahu have not been maintained, which causes significant damage to property and risks loss of life during heavy rains; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a result of recent heavy rainfall that caused flooding in certain parts of Oahu, residents of Haleiwa and Waialua were not given sufficient warning to evacuate the area, which could have resulted in catastrophic loss of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, the guidance for evacuation of areas like Haleiwa and Waialua was confusing, leaving residents trapped in their homes and unsure what to do, even after the flooding subsided; and

 

     WHEREAS, residents of Koolauloa continue to struggle to dispose of debris and mud from recent flooding and have not received any assistance from county or state government; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the City and County of Honolulu is requested to develop a comprehensive plan to drain and clear streams and canals that flow in residential areas in Waiahole and other Koolauloa communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Department of Emergency Management of the City and County of Honolulu is requested to improve the flash flood warning system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City and County of Honolulu is requested to create a comprehensive action plan for each Council District to mitigate the impacts of flooding and hurricanes; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, and Department of Emergency Management of the City and County of Honolulu are requested to coordinate more closely to ensure that residents have safe evacuation routes in the event of flooding; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Adjutant General, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Director of the Department of Emergency Management of the City and County of Honolulu, Chief of Police of the Honolulu Police Department, and Fire Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department.

Report Title:

City and County of Honolulu; Flooding; Streams; Comprehensive Plan