Report Title:

Wastewater lines

Description:

Relating to the installation of new wastewater lines within the Elm Street and Alohi Way neighborhoods.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2975

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO WASTEWATER LINES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current condition of clogged and backed up wastewater lines within the Sheridan neighborhood of Honolulu along Elm Street and Alohi Way pose an immediate and substantial adverse health and safety condition. Since 2002, raw sewage frequently backs up into shower stalls and other wastewater lines. During these crises, toilets cannot be flushed and raw sewage overflows from manholes located along the lines.

In 1974, the city and county of Honolulu allowed the Elms condominium project to burden wastewater lines without notice or permission by surrounding single-family property owners. Moreover, the city and county of Honolulu has been unable to explain why it discontinued servicing these lines in 2002, forcing private property owners to pay for unclogging the lines at their expense.

In December 2003, the Hawaii community development authority offered its assistance to initiate, coordinate, and implement sewer improvements to the neighborhoods.

The legislature finds that because the existing wastewater lines also affect residents surrounding the immediate area, improvement costs should be split equally between the residents of the Elm Street and Alohi Way neighborhoods and the Hawaii community development authority. Engineers have estimated costs of $200,000 for plans and design, and $800,000 for construction of new wastewater lines.

The purpose of this Act is to protect the health and safety of the residents of the Elm Street and Alohi Way neighborhoods by making an appropriation to install new wastewater lines.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii community development authority shall work with residents of the Elm Street and Alohi Way neighborhoods to develop a repayment schedule to share in the cost of planning, designing, and constructing new wastewater lines.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the plans, design, and construction of new wastewater lines in the Elm Street and Alohi Way neighborhoods; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless the residents agree to reimburse the Hawaii community development authority for not more than fifty per cent of the cost of the project on a repayment schedule agreeable to the Hawaii community development authority; provided further that the amounts owed by residents shall exclude any interest payments. The Hawaii community development authority shall deposit all repayments into the state treasury.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii community development authority for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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