U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, announced Friday that nearly $8 million in Army Corps. of Engineers’ projects he requested for Hawai‘i passed out of the House of Representatives Friday, and will be put before the U.S. Senate for
U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, announced Friday that nearly $8 million in Army Corps. of Engineers’ projects he requested for Hawai‘i passed out of the House of Representatives Friday, and will be put before the U.S. Senate for vote.
Randy Obata, Case’s aide in Honolulu, said Case’s request includes funding for Kaua‘i projects. They involve:
- $2.5 million for harbor dredging and breakwater improvements at Kikiaola Small Board Harbor, which is managed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources;
- $1.7 million in repairs to a section of the breakwater the Port Allen Harbor near Hanapepe. The work, should it be approved, is expected to protect the harbor from ocean surges, thereby allowing for fuller use of the harbor facilities;
- $50,000 for the continuation of a feasibility study on the widening of the channel entrance at Nawiliwili Harbor to accommodate larger vessels. The funds are needed to complete the study, and allow the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers to conduct surveys and to look at “modeling” concepts for the proposed widening project.
Case said the nearly $8 million in projects was included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Energy and Water Appropriations Act at his request.
“This is a great result for long-overdue harbor and shoreline improvements in my Second District,” said Case, whose congressional district includes most of the state’s harbors and shorelines.
“Virtually all of our harbors are in great need of repair and expansion, especially given their increased commercial and recreational uses, and many of our coastlines have severe erosion challenges. Each of these projects is indispensable to preserving and enhancing these resources.
The funding, if approved by Congress and President Bush, would cover the cost for 15 projects on five islands, including $2 million for work at Kaumalapau Harbor on Lana‘i, which Case called “one of the most isolated and transportation-dependent communities in our country.”
