Report Title:

Earthquake Recovery and Mitigation Projects; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriate funds for structural and non-structural earthquake recovery and mitigation projects, provided that the projects include measures to ensure survivability in future disasters with a multi-hazard approach.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2963

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  In 2007, the legislature passed H.B. No. 1345, enacted as Act 78, to provide $24,900,000 in emergency funds for fiscal year 2006-2007 to cover various operational expenses and project costs associated with disaster recovery and mitigation efforts in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, and the city and county of Honolulu, in the wake of the Kiholo Bay earthquake on October 15, 2006.

     The legislature finds that thus far, only approximately $7,500,000 of the total authorized funds has been expended for earthquake disaster recovery operations.  Continuing adverse weather conditions and a lack of qualified contractors have delayed projects.

     Typical to most major earthquake disasters, hidden damages are not discovered until much later due to the inability to immediately access disaster locations and the need to conduct detailed engineering evaluations.  Most difficult to assess have been the damages on the intakes to the Kohala Ditch and Hamakua Ditch systems:  at this time, the intakes located in the Honokane Nui and Waipio valleys are only accessible by helicopter or by extremely dangerous damaged foot trails.  Expert observers have strongly indicated that costs to repair the intakes will increase significantly from original estimates.

     Engineering experts also agree that it would be prudent to strengthen the intakes rather than simply returning them to pre-disaster conditions.  This approach would be more cost-effective in the long run, ensuring survivability in future disasters and reducing frequent maintenance trips into the valleys.  The legislature believes this approach should apply to all structural and nonstructural disaster recovery and mitigation projects and a multi-hazard approach as much as is feasible should be employed.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for structural and nonstructural earthquake recovery and mitigation projects, provided that the projects include measures with a multi-hazard approach to ensure survivability in future disasters.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for structural and nonstructural earthquake recovery and mitigation projects; provided that the projects include measures with a multi-hazard approach to ensure survivability in future disasters.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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