Hawai‘i To Receive More Than $200 Million In Federal Funding To Improve Ala Wai Canal, Prevent Flooding, And Protect Surrounding Communities

Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass legislation to improve water resources and infrastructure in Hawai‘i and across the country. The sweeping bipartisan bill includes more than $212 million to improve the Ala Wai canal and watershed, reduce flood risks in the area, and strengthen flood warning systems.

“This major investment will make sure the Army Corps has the funding it needs to strengthen the canal and protect residents against flooding,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

According to a plan developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Ala Wai Canal and the watershed that flows into it requires significant upgrades to prevent catastrophic flooding in the event of a major storm. The federal funding in the legislation passed today would go towards implementing the Army Corps’ plan to reduce flood risks by improving the flood warning system, and constructing six in-stream debris and detention basins in the upper reaches of Makiki, M?noa and P?lolo streams, one standalone debris catchment feature, three multi-purpose detention areas in open spaces through the developed watershed, and concrete floodwalls averaging 4 feet high along one or both sides of approximately 1.9 miles of the Ala Wai Canal.

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