HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	719
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE LAHAiNA FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Twenty-six major floods have hit Lahaina since 1879.  On average, there is one flood every five years.  The average cost for flood damage is approximately $700,000 per year.  Lahaina's largest flood occurred in 1960 when it rained 21.7 inches in the Kahoma watershed, flooding thirty-six homes and businesses.  Front street and Honoapiilani highway overtopped, and the roads were closed.  In 1960, flood damages were estimated at $320,000.  With the same area now developed at least tenfold, a similar flood would cause an estimated $100,000,000 in damages.  It is also estimated that if Lahaina had a one hundred-year storm, the damages would currently affect one hundred ninety-seven residences, thirty-five condominiums, one hundred fifty-seven businesses, two parks, two schools, and the main roads.

     The legislature finds that public safety continues to be a major priority for the State and that the completion of the final stage of Lahaina flood control project will help prevent stormwater from inundating major portions of Lahaina town.  The final stage of the project consists of constructing a mile-long diversion channel, incorporating four sediment basins, and a debris basin.  Additionally, the flood control project will reduce the amount of sediment discharged into the ocean and on coral reefs, protecting these fragile ecosystems and preserving Hawaii's reputation as a top tourist destination.

     The purpose of this Act is to reduce the repetitive flooding of residents and businesses in Lahaina and to reduce the constant drain on city, state, and federal resources whenever a flood occurs by securing funds to match with the county of Maui to finish the Lahaina flood control project in its last and most critical stage.

SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $10,160,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2015-2016 as a state match for the purpose of the Lahaina flood control project in the west Maui soil and water conservation district, as follows:

     Phase 3B                                     $ 6,000,000

     Phase 4 & 5                                    4,160,000

          Total funding                           $10,160,000

     SECTION 3.  The director of finance shall use this appropriation to match moneys appropriated by the county of Maui for the Lahaina flood control project; provided that the moneys appropriated by the county of Maui for this purpose are not less than $2,540,000 or twenty per cent of the estimated cost of the project.

     SECTION 4.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by section 1 of this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 5.  The sum appropriated for the respective capital project set forth in section 1 shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

General Obligation Bonds; CIP Projects; Lahaina Flood Control Project

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of GO bonds and appropriates funds for the Lahaina Flood Control Project.  Requires the appropriation to be matched by county funds.

 

 

 

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