U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City & County of Honolulu introduce Ala Wai Flood Risk Management study

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 5:30-8p*
Saturday, Nov. 13, 1-3:30p*

*A brief orientation to the Webex meeting platform will be offered 15 minutes prior to the start of each session.

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, Oct 28, 2021

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, is scheduled to hold a pair of virtual public workshops to gather input for the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study. The goal of the study is to identify a plan that will minimize potential flooding to communities within the Ala Wai watershed in a cost effective, economically justifiable, technically sound, and environmentally acceptable manner.

Recognizing the need to respect COVID-19 precautions at this time, the upcoming Public Workshop will be VIRTUAL, meaning it’s only accessible online. To access the meeting, go to https://usace1.webex.com/meet/AlaWaiWorkshop. (For the most reliable audio, select “Call Me” and input your telephone number.)

Additional information regarding the study, the public meeting format and what to expect during the meeting will be available at https://www.honolulu.gov/AlaWai. For questions regarding how to access the virtual meeting or to RSVP, contact CEPOH-PA@usace.army.mil">CEPOH-PA@usace.army.mil.

Access information
Join online webinar via Cisco Webex platform at https://usace1.webex.com/meet/AlaWaiWorkshop

To participate fully, we strongly encourage using Webex. However, audio-only access is also available.
For audio only, call 1-844-800-2712. Use access code 1992 62 9020.

Meetings will be recorded, and content will be posted in Q&A format to the project website.

“This effort is critically important as there is high risk of a catastrophic flooding event from the Ala Wai Watershed, which would impact the health and safety of the people, infrastructure and businesses in the area,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
This first phase of public engagement meetings reintroduces the study and gathers initial input and ideas from the community. This phase includes brainstorming potential solutions and identifying potential concerns in the study area. The community is encouraged to participate and provide feedback, questions, or concerns to the team.

“The Corps of Engineers sees this study as an opportunity to evaluate all options, structural, non-structural, as well as nature-based features to reduce the impacts of flooding in the Ala Wai watershed,” said Commander Lt. Col Eric Marshall, USACE, Honolulu District. “Building on our previous efforts and in close partnership with the city, we are working to identify the optimal level of flood protection that maximizes benefits to the community and the Nation.”

There will be opportunities for the community to provide input throughout the study. This is the first round of community engagements as we begin this general reevaluation study. The second round will discuss a more focused set of potential solutions under consideration at that stage; it is anticipated to occur during Summer 2022 prior to the release of the Draft Report. The third round of meetings, currently slated for fall 2022, will discuss the Tentatively Selected Plan as presented in the Draft Report. The final round of meetings in 2023 will review the Recommended Plan prior to release of the Final Report. The study will take no longer than three years and will follow a process similar to that of a USACE feasibility study.

A limited number of public computers will be available during the Saturday workshop only at the Manoa (2716 Woodlawn Dr.) and Waikiki-Kapahulu (400 Kapahulu Ave.) Libraries on a first come, first served basis. Library card holders can reserve a computer one week in advance through the State library system (https://www.librarieshawaii.org/computer-reservations/). Non-card holders can request a guest pass, also on a first come, first served basis. Photo identification and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result issued within the last 72 hours are required for entry. Face masks are required. Please bring personal earphones to access audio.

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Link: USACE Ala Wai page