"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
November 4 2011
Stream and Roadside Cleanups Planned on the Wai‘anae Coast
WAI‘ANAE, OAHU -- On the heels of a town hall meeting that discussed flooding issues along the Wai‘anae Coast, area legislators are working with city, state, and federal officials to hold stream and roadside cleanups on Saturday, November 19 and Saturday, December 10.
"According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of heavy rains from January to April 2012, so we must act now to try to help residents who have repeatedly been flooded," said Rep. Karen Awana, who secured $8 million in the 2011 state budget to address flooding on Farrington Highway.
"The Legislature appropriated $2 million in the 2011 budget for flood mitigation efforts in the Puuhulu and Lualualei Flats area," said Rep. Jo Jordan, who represents that area and was able to secure those funds. "We are working with State and City agencies to determine the best use of the monies to address the flooding problems."
"The cleanups are intended to relieve some of the clogged streams and waterways as the rainy season approaches," said Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who pushed to keep the flood funding in the final budget.
"During the Lualualei Valley cleanups, state officials will keep an eye out for flood hazards on private property," explained Vic Gustafson, Interim Vice Director of State Civil Defense.
"In response to the community calling for definitive action, neighbors suggested a cleanup project to help while government works toward a bigger programmatic solution which will take much longer," said Walt Kaneakua, Military Liaison for Sen. Daniel Inouye's office. "We believe in an 'ohana effort - neighbors helping neighbors."
Steve Sigler and Danny Tengan of State Civil Defense will be taking the lead with coordinating the cleanups on November 19 and December 10, respectively.
Volunteers are sought for the following two cleanups:
- Saturday, November 19, 2011
8:00 a.m. - noon
Meet at Mikilua Store parking lot (87-1117 Paakea Rd # A)
To sign up, contact: Rep. Karen Awana at 586-8465
8:00 a.m. - noon
For more information, contact: Rep. Jo Jordan at 586-8460.
The cleanup will target Puuhulu Stream and will coincide with Nanakuli High & Intermediate's "Aloha Aina Earth Day" recycling event to help raise funds for the school.
Volunteers are asked to sign up for the cleanups ahead of time so organizers can plan accordingly. However, volunteers may also show up on the day of the cleanup.
Volunteers should have:- Covered shoes with thick soles
- Long pants
- Sun protection
- Gloves
- Water
Optional Items:
- Tools to clear brush and streambeds, such as chainsaws, weed eaters, lawnmowers, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, dust pans, machetes, etc.
- Garbage bags
- Trucks to haul rubbish and bulky items
Cleanup Partners Include:
Senator Daniel Inouye
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Navy
Senator Maile Shimabukuro
Representative Karen Awana
Representative Jo Jordan
Hawaii State Civil Defense
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Department of Transportation
Councilman Tom Berg
City and County of Honolulu
For more information, contact:
Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or (808)586-7793.
Representative Karen Awana, (808) 586-8465
Representative Jo Jordan, (808) 586-8460
Flood victims whom the press may contact:
Sophie Flores, (808) 668-7026, 87-1117 Paakea Rd
Monique De Ocampo, (808) 696-5292, 86-657 Puuhulu Rd.
John Naeole, (808) 255-4884, Puhawai Rd., Lualualei Valley
From the City and County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii
MEDIA ADVISORY / MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Julian (808) 586-6261
Thelma Dreyer (808) 586-6133
Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (808) 349-3075
Rep. Karen Awana (808) 586-8465
Rep. Jo Jordan (808) 586-8460
