HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.098 2006-2008
- ~ -
y~~ 75.5737 Kuakini 1 {~yy„ Sude 208
Cfi~B~ Kaikia-Kara. H196740
A~ M~ Phone 808-379-1758 Pax, 808-329-8564
VK ~i ~y„~,korw-kohala.com kcmakcc;~gle~nea
May 30, 2007
Hawail County Council
Pete Hoffmann, Chair
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re Bill 51 Draft 2; Proposed Amendment to Chapter 27 of the HCC
Deaz Chairman Hoffmann and Members of the County Council,
'T'his testimony is on behalf of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. The Kona-Kohala
Chamber of Commerce (KKCC) represents nearly 750 business and individual members and is
the leading business advocacy organization on the west side of the Hawai i Island.
The Chamber recognizes the risks and issues concerned with flooding on the Big Island and in
West Hawaii given the topography and the possibility of heavy rainfall, albeit a relatively raze
occurrence.
We fully support the efforts of this Councfl, the Public Works Department, and all branches of
County administration and the Council, in seeking appropriate safeguazds, both administrative
and practical, in reducing the potential for damage to property and injury to people in the event
of severe rainfall. However, we also recognize the lack of effective flood zone mapping and
inadequate information on which to base good policy and plaiuiing in this area.
We also recognize and agree the issue of flood control policy and regulation does need to be
addressed seriously and in-depth, but believe this needs to be done on the basis of better
information (i.e. mapping) and most critically, with the input of professional engineers and
flood control experts. Without this as the basis for review, any proposed changes in the level of
control can either be potentially inadequate or onerous as to cause unintended consequences
for the azea while still not achieving the desired result.
We have been advised that engineers will confirm the level of pond volume required to contain
the water from a 100 yeaz/24 hour flood becomes very large (2200 sq ft and 5 feet deep on a 1
acre lot) and since the watershed azea is above almost all development, the property and the
properties below it will still be subject to water flow and flooding in the event of very heary rain.
On the Hilo side the pond area required will be around three times as large, but in a severe
storm the water will still flow from azeas further up the mountain.
Please be assured the Chamber will be very willing to support and assist in any move to
improve the currently inadequate FEMA maps and all other aspects of the information base
that will allow this issue to be addressed sensibly, reasonably and as a matter of some urgency
as the population inevitably increases. Further, the Chamber will fully support any request for
federal assistance and funding to address the issue, again, as a matter of urgency.'.r`'~
Comm. No. '1
Rsf. 1c~fe~eeted 1M1O/
Ref. Dm~d
r , .
Hawaii County Councfl
Public Works & Intergovernmental Relations Committee
May 30, 2007
Page Two
The Chamber understands many, perhaps most, of the problems which have arisen are due to
inadequate enforcement of regulations rather than the regulations themselves. We would
propose that where regulations are not adhered to or just ignored, offending landowners
and/or contractors should be prosecuted.
In a recent survey of Chamber members, our position on this issue was overwhelmingly
supported by those responding and comments from members included suggestions that poor
siting and buflding practices were the main contributors to property damage. Significant
support for improving flood mapping and providing public information on the issue was also
noted.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rick Vidgen
Board Member