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Home My WebLink AboutMeeting Summary January 23SUMMARY SOUTH KONA FLOOD HAZARD STUDY PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING KONAWAENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JANUARY 23, 2008 6:30–8:30 P.M. RECORDING NOTES This informational meeting was not recorded. This summary was extracted from meeting notes. IN ATTENDANCE: Over 60 residents from the South Kona area signed in. Presenters: Stephen Yamamoto, USACE, Honolulu Jeff Overton, Group 70, Chief Environmental Planner Massoud Rezakani, MRC, Principal Bruce McClure, Director, County of Hawaii Department of Public Works PROBLEMATIC AREAS • Stream maintenance • Debris collects in the streams and creates dams that eventually overflow • Invasive species inhibit water flow • Culvert maintenance and repairs • Poorly designed culverts compound flooding • Broken culverts need to be identified and fixed • Impact of development • County-approved projects compound flooding problems; i.e. in Captain Cook above Greenwell Park • Impact of road changes • Roads can change water flow • Old timers know where not to put roads • Current flood map is 30 years old • Kona floodways are immature, gulches have not developed • Nine 100-year floods in 50 years • Need solutions now • Study is not a solution SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS • County fill the new floodplain manager position • County culvert maintenance and repair • Upgrade/repair problematic culverts • County-funded programs to break the force of water • County work with Soil and Water Conservation District, people who have expertise and experience • Community work together • Be part of the process • Know existing flood zones • In cooperation with the County and other agencies • Become involved in Soil and Water Conservation District • Clean and maintain streams • Document problem areas and pass on to the County • Suggest workable solutions • Flood questionnaire is a means of collecting information on area flooding; residents encouraged to complete and provide photos of flooding • Development • Well-designed and monitored projects that follow code don’t create flooding • Mapping is a management tool in evaluating future development OTHER CONCERNS • Does plan take into account effect of grading and grubbing? • Impact on insurance • Notification before revised map is released • What is the advantage of maps if increase insurance? • Addressing previous flood damage • No measures taken on previous flood damage reported to County/State/Bishop Estate • Painted Church Road in Honaunau (County is making repairs)