Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) announced that the U.S. House has approved a major bill to construct projects, research activities and conduct studies to improve our nation’s rivers, harbors, oceans and water infrastructure.  

Case’s requests were included in S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. WRDA is developed and passed by Congress every two years. The House approved this Congress’ bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 399-18. The Senate is expected to approve the bill in the coming days and send it to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law. 

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 seven provisions secured by Case in the 2024 WRDA include: 

1.   Expanding and upgrading Honolulu Harbor.

Case secured an authorization for an in-depth study of critical Honolulu Harbor improvements in an earlier WRDA, but at Case’s request this WRDA amends the plan to reflect expanded complexity, scope and funding needs, including elements of coastal storm risk management. This update will help continue the project and focus its benefits on disaster resilience and enhanced national 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 for this project through his work on his House Appropriations Committee. With this upgraded authorization, Case will seek additional project funds in the next appropriations cycle.

2. Confirming Honolulu Harbor’s role in defense and national security.

Case secured a complementary provision to conduct a full review of Honolulu Harbor’s critical role in our nation's defense and security. “With Honolulu Harbor being the main port for the State of Hawai‘i, our national defense presence also depends on this harbor to remain strong and reliable to maintain a steady flow of resources for our military needs and communities,” said Case.

Case added: “Strengthening this harbor will allow for enhanced military readiness and resilience and for our communities to be prepared for a national security threat. This provision directs USACE to consider the benefits of project modification for disaster resilience and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense and assists in paving the way for full funding of improvement projects.”  

3.   Expediting the Ala Wai Canal flood risk management project.

“The Ala Wai Flood Risk Management project is focused 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 mitigate catastrophic impacts to the Ala Wai Watershed including the canal.” 

This project began in 1999, and the USACE recently solicited public comments on a revised plan for the Ala Wai watershed community. This direction assists in keeping the project on track through the upcoming decision points and facilitates related further funding requests. 

 4. Including Hawai‘i in USACE studies involving the Pacific Region. 

Case also won approval to authorize 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 will enable Hawai‘i to work fully 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 will also help streamline USACE negotiations with the Hawai‘i State Historic Preservation Office toward project concerns and conditions.” 

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

Case secured an amendment allowing for expanded project eligibility for coastal communities inextricably linked to harbor accessibility. This change allows for greater consideration of unique economic, cultural, social and ecosystem benefits to such communities in cost-benefit analyses utilized by USACE in determining which projects to pursue. 

“As Hawai‘i imports such large proportions of goods and relies on our harbors for our very survival, this needed change allows for our unique situation to be factored in to USACE cost-benefit analyses and prevents Hawai’i and other insular areas of our country from being unfairly penalized by a standard formula focused on a continental U.S model,” said Case.  

6. 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. 

 7. 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. 

 Other provisions in the bill that would assist the State of Hawai‘i include: 

·         A feasibility study for flood risk management for Hawai‘i Kai 

·         Modification of a navigation upgrade project for the Honolulu Deep Draft Harbor 

·         Flood risk management and protection projects for Kaua‘i

  NOTE: The bill text is available here. 

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