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.]UM 28 2007 6:57PM ROTH KIMURF Ll_P 808 324 6078 p.l A.~ Hawaii Island Section A Se:tlon of The >rtterlcan InstRute of Architects ' ~ ~ • ~ , ~ , Honolulu Chapter ~ t J.;, t ~ I ~ June 28, 2007 Hawaii County Council 25.aupuni Street, Suite 209 Hilo, HI 96720 FAX: 808-961-8912 64-L067 Mamalahoa Hwy., Suite C-5 Kamuela, HI 96733 FAX: 808-887-2072 75-5706 Hanama PLace Suite 109 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 FAX: 808-329-4786 RE: Counri of Hawaii - Bi1151 DeFr Honorable Council members: We need to state for the record that the AIA Hawaii Island Section strongly disagrees with the staU:ment, "tile 10 year one-hour storm drainage standard is too little and the proposed 100 yeaz 24-hour flood water detention is too great". Councilman Ford has asked that the architectural and engineering wmmunity propose an amendment that falls somewhere in between. An answer is not forthcoming because we think it is in'esponsible to say that the current storm drainage standards or flood control ordinances are at fault without proper analysis. Without proper analysis the added language that goes beyond NFIP compliance could lead to gre~.ter harm to the public health, safety, and welfare. For example, during the ad hoc committee meeting, civil engineers pointed out the consequences of, "To regrrire that when any relocation of a watercourse or historic ditch takes place that it be engineered to be capable of carrying the waG;r from at least the 100.yeaz storm event"l. A consequence of this added language is that if a mau.ka property owner upgrades his waterway per this proposed ordinance, he will be increasing the intensity of water at the outt]ow point of his property whether or not his makai neighbor's portion of the waterway can handle the increased intensity. Yes, there aze incidents of flooding in West Hawaii, and the AIA supports good flood control measures. However, to our knowledge, there has been no analysis as to the cause of recent flooding events. For example at Konawaena and Waiaha, was the cause: 1) That there was no licensed engineer consulted prior to grading? 2) Current design standards? 3) Design? 4) Implementation of the design? 5) County enforcement? 6) Lenient penalties? 7) An unfortunate occurrence of heavy rainfall prior to stabilization of graded azeas? 8) Poor site design of impacted property? 9) Pooz maintenance of existing waterways? 10) Other factors? It is not the responsibility of the local architects and engineers to take on such a study, We have no authority to demand access to a site and pertinent documents. And who should pay for such a study? Anon profit professional organization like the AIA cannot be expected to pay for a study of this magnitude. !f the Council decides that a study is necessary then, the Council must appropriate public funds to hire qualified consultants licensed in the state of Hawaii to conduct such analysis, present it to the public, and suggest appropriate amendments to the Code. ' Bi1151 Propuud Draft #5, page 3 Section 27-3 (n) P.O. Box 624 Holnaloa, HI 96725 8(>8-987-6146 limura~alum.mi[.edu Comm. NQ. ~ T Z' Ref. Ta 1'rosee ~µnr; ) Ref. Date_,!l~ ? 0 2007