STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1515

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.R. No. 81

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.R. No. 81 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, TO IMMEDIATELY AND REGULARLY CLEAN THE DRAINAGE CANALS AND STREAMS IN KANEOHE AND KAILUA AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDED CLEANING SCHEDULES FOR DRAINAGE CANALS AND STREAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Facility Maintenance of the City and County of Honolulu, in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, to:

(1) Immediately clean the drainage canals and streams in Kaneohe and Kailua; and

(2) Develop recommended cleaning schedules for drainage canals and streams and regularly clean the drainage canals and streams in Kaneohe and Kailua based on this schedule.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed H.D. 1, which deletes the contents of this measure and inserts language that:

(1) Requests 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;

(2) Addresses recent heavy rainfall that caused flooding in certain parts of Oahu, including Haleiwa and Waialua, and the continued struggles of residents of Koolauloa to dispose of debris and mud;

(3) Requests that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Department of Emergency Management of the City and County of Honolulu improve the flash flood warning system;

(4) Requests the City and County of Honolulu to create a comprehensive action plan for each Council district to mitigate the impacts of flooding and hurricanes; and

(5) Requests that first responders coordinate more closely to ensure that residents have safe evacuation routes in the event of flooding.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed H.D. 1 from the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the proposed H.D. 1 was prompted by recent events caused by heavy rain on Oahu and the continuing difficulties residents of Koolauloa face in disposing of debris and mud. The proposed H.D. 1 is intended to address residents' concerns that government be prepared for a quick and coordinated response.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adopting the proposed H.D. 1;

(2) Amending its title to read, "REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO REGULARLY DRAIN AND CLEAR STREAMS AND CANALS THAT FLOW IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN WAIAHOLE, HALEIWA, WAIALUA, KANEOHE, AND OTHER KOOLAULOA COMMUNITIES.";

(3) Bolstering the bases for the requested comprehensive plan;

(4) Requesting the City and County of Honolulu to work in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop the comprehensive plan for the Koolauloa communities and for each Council district, and specifying Haleiwa, Waialua, and Kaneohe as additional areas of concern; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 81, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 81, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair