Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) today announced that his requests for six critical water infrastructure projects vital to Hawaii’s safety and economy recently won key bipartisan support and will come before the House for a vote in the coming weeks.

Case’s requests were included in H.R. 8812, the proposed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 61 to 2.

This bill authorizes projects to improve the country’s ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm protection and other aspects of water resources infrastructure that keep our communities safe and strengthens the U.S. economy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) performs these projects in partnership with federal, local and state agencies, non-government organizations and tribal nations to implement the projects.

The six provisions secured by Case in the 2024 WRDA include:

1.    Expediting completion of the Ala Wai Canal flood risk management project.

“The Ala Wai Flood Risk Management project is focusing on protecting the homes, businesses and communities of central Honolulu from Makiki, Mānoa and Pālolo to the ocean, as well as of Waikīkī, where daily over a hundred thousand residents and visitors live, work and play in the one-square mile engine of our tourism industry,” said Case.

“We all are facing the real-life evidence every day of the effects of climate change including disastrous flooding, and we must continue our efforts to prevent a catastrophic storm that would impact the watershed and the adjacent canal.”

This project began in 1999, and the USACE recently solicited public comments on a revised plan for the Ala Wai watershed community.

2.    Studying how to expand and upgrade Honolulu Harbor. 

Case previously secured an authorization for this study, but he is seeking to amend the plan to reflect expanded complexity, scope and funding needs, including elements of coastal storm risk management. This update would help continue the project and focus its benefits on disaster resilience and enhanced nation security from improved utilization of the harbor.

“As the main port of the State of Hawai‘i, Honolulu Harbor receives and distributes all overseas cargo shipments constituting over 80% of all imports into the state, supports fishing operations and cruise ships and handles federal maritime activity including the U.S. Coast Guard’s 14th District,” said Case.

“Providing this additional refined and expanded authorization will ensure our critical harbor is designed for resilience and that this literal lifeline for Hawai‘i remains operational in the face of natural disaster and other contingencies.”

Case previously secured $1.5 million of funding for this project through his work on his House Appropriations Committee.

3.    Including Hawai‘i in studies involving the Pacific Region.

Case also won approval to allow Hawai‘i to partner with USACE when it conducts a broader range of studies in the Pacific, including cultural resources preservation and environmental restoration studies.

“This amendment would enable Hawai‘i to work with USACE on studies, such as ecosystem restoration, coastal storm risk management and flood risk projects, which the agency already does in the Pacific with Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas,” said Case. “This change would also help streamline USACE negotiations with the Hawai‘i State History Preservation Office.”

4.    Expanding eligibility for federal assistance for coastal communities dependent on key ports.

Case secured an amendment allowing for expanded eligibility for coastal communities whose longevity is linked to harbor accessibility. This change allows for greater consideration of cultural, social and ecosystem benefits to the local communities in cost-benefit analyses.

“As Hawai‘i imports such large proportions of goods and relies on our harbors, this needed change allows for increased longevity for our harbors and security for our communities,” said Case.  

5.    Increasing funding for water infrastructure projects for Maui.

Case, who remains focused on working with the rest of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation to aid Lahaina in rebuilding following the 2023 wildfires, joined Congresswoman Tokuda (Hawai‘i-District 2) to jointly secure funding for water-related infrastructure projects in Lahaina to help Maui recover from the 2023 wildfire.

“This funding would provide another $30 million for Maui County to rebuild damaged infrastructure following the devastating wildfires,” said Case.

6.    Authorizing an assessment of Lahaina’s watershed.

“This assessment that I requested jointly with Congresswoman Tokuda will identify ways infrastructure can be improved to reduce risks and damage from future natural disasters,” said Case. “It will aid the community in rebuilding and improving damaged infrastructure after the August 2023 wildfires.

NOTE: The bill text is available here.

###