The latest Water Resources Development Act, which cleared the U.S. House of Representatives this week, includes several requests from U.S. Sen. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, that would have a direct benefit for the state.

What You Need To Know

  • Developed and passed by Congress every two years, WRDA 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 communities safe and strengthens the U.S. economy
  • The latest iteration of the bill was approved by the House on a 399-18 vote and is expected to pass out of the Senate for Pres. Joe Biden to sign before Congress goes on hiatus for the holidays
  • U.S. Rep. Ed Case requested an amendment to an earlier authorization to study improvements to Honolulu Harbor to reflect 'expanded complexity, scope and funding needs, including elements of coastal storm risk management'
  • One provision would allow 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 by By expanding eligibility for coastal communities linked to harbor accessibility

Developed and passed by Congress every two years, WRDA 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 communities safe and strengthens the U.S. economy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers executes the projects in partnership with federal, local and state agencies, non-government organizations and tribal nations.

The latest iteration of the bill was approved by the House on a 399-18 vote and is expected to pass out of the Senate for Pres. Joe Biden to sign before Congress goes on hiatus for the holidays.

Provisions secured by Case in the 2024 WRDA include:

Expanding and upgrading Honolulu Harbor. Case’s current request amends an earlier authorization to study improvements to Honolulu Harbor to reflect “expanded complexity, scope and funding needs, including elements of coastal storm risk management.”

“As the main port of the State of Hawaii, 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,” Case said in a statement released on Tuesday. “Providing this additional refined and expanded authorization will ensure our critical harbor is designed for resilience and that this literal lifeline for Hawaii remains operational in the face of natural disaster and other contingencies.”

Confirming Honolulu Harbor’s role in defense and national security. This complementary provision would allow for a full review of Honolulu Harbor’s role in national defense and security.

 “Strengthening this harbor will allow for enhanced military readiness and resilience, and for our communities to be prepared for a national security threat,” Case said. “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.”

Expediting the Ala Wai Canal flood risk management project. The project started in 1999 and public comments were recently solicited on a revised plan. Case’s provision would assist in keeping the project on track through upcoming decision points and facilitate further funding requests.

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

Including Hawai‘i in USACE studies involving the Pacific Region. Under this provision, Hawaii would 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 Hawaii 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,” Case said. “This change will also help streamline USACE negotiations with the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Office toward project concerns and conditions.”

Expanding eligibility for federal assistance for coastal communities dependent on key ports. By expanding eligibility for coastal communities linked to harbor accessibility, this provision would allow 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.

Increasing funding for water infrastructure projects for Maui. Case and Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, secured the inclusion of this provision, which would provide an additional $30 million to Maui County to rebuild water infrastructure damaged by the 2023 Maui wildfires.

Authorizing an assessment of Lahaina’s watershed. Also jointly requested by Case and Tokuda, this provision would help to identify ways infrastructure could be improved to reduce risk and damage from future natural disasters.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.