HI SR148

Requests establishment of a working group led by the Mayor's administration to address concerns about the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management Project, which received $345,000,000 in federal appropriations in July 2018 and requires $125,000,000 in local matching funds.

Ala Wai Watershed encompasses approximately 19 square miles in Honolulu and faces significant flood risk, with a potential 1 percent probability of a century-level storm causing over $1,000,000,000 in damage to approximately 3,000 structures.

Working group tasked with facilitating public meetings, recording community concerns, and developing design alternatives that address impacts on schools, cultural institutions, private property owners, and ecosystem preservation including floodable development options instead of hard structures.

Working group membership to include representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State, City, Hawaii Legislature, University of Hawaii, and the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability, plus other invited participants.

Working group required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2020 Regular Session convenes.