Hand-drawn map of Waipio Auwai System

Sen. Dwight Takamine reports that two projects to mitigate flooding problems in Waipi‘o Valley are moving forward. The Mauna Kea Soil & Water Conservation District, using Natural Resources Conservation Service funds, has selected AECom to undertake an engineering design project.

 AECom will develop and provide conceptual designs, cost estimates and a list of permit requirements for repairs at two problem areas in the valley (Linda Beach crossing, Kawashima waterhead). Work should commence this month—the contract time is 365 days with a no cost extension available due to weather variables.

Also, in the spring of 2010 Hawai‘i State Civil Defense signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Friends of the Future, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, that provided $100,000 in funds from Act 78 (2007) for earthquake repairs. Permit applications have been submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers to work on the further clearing of the debris and sediment from the Wailoa River Mouth.