Hawaii House Bill HCR78

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 3/30/23
• Engrossed: 3/30/23
• Refer: 3/31/23
• Report Pass: 4/19/23
• Passed: 4/20/23

Caption

Urging The Department Of Facility Maintenance Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Conduct An Assessment And Prepare And Execute A Plan To Maintain Manoa Stream.

Impact

The passage of HCR78 is expected to address critical flooding issues by ensuring that appropriate maintenance activities are regularly conducted on Manoa Stream. It represents a proactive move towards improving flood resilience and environmental management in the area. By urging the Department of Facility Maintenance to prepare and execute a robust maintenance plan, the resolution aims to establish a long-term framework for managing the stream's health and mitigating future flood damage. The necessity for such measures is underscored by the catastrophic consequences of past flooding events, drawing attention to the urgency of the situation.

Summary

HCR78 urges the Department of Facility Maintenance of the City and County of Honolulu to conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a plan for the maintenance of Manoa Stream. This resolution is driven by a historical pattern of inadequate periodic maintenance, which has raised significant concerns regarding flood risks in the region. The resolution points out that without regular maintenance activities like vegetative management and debris removal, Manoa Stream is vulnerable to dangerous flooding, as highlighted by the devastating flood events of October 30, 2004, which caused extensive property damage in excess of $80 million on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Contention

While the resolution does not appear to be divisive, it highlights the ongoing need for inter-agency cooperation and resource allocation for flood mitigation. Potential contention could arise regarding the prioritization of funding and resources dedicated to Manoa Stream maintenance versus other city infrastructure needs. It raises questions about how quickly the necessary assessments can be carried out and the timeline for implementing maintenance activities effectively. Ensuring robust governmental support and public awareness will be critical challenges as this resolution moves forward.