Kauai Flood Plain Changes

SOURCE: Kenneth Taylor (taylork021@Hawaii.rr.com) SUBHEAD: Westside flood plain map changes are proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers. No public meetings are scheduled for the Westside. Image above: GoogleEarth representation of 3 meter ocean surge inundating Kekaha. By Juan Wilson. [Editor's note: The County Engineering Department suggests the public contact Wynne Ushigome at 241-4890 or via email: wushigome@kauai.gov for the addition or modification to the venues for flood plain meetings. I suggest the 3 meetings take place in Hanapepe, Waimea and Kekaha.] By Jose Bulatao, Jr. on 12 August 2010 - We look to our public officials to weigh and consider what may be best for the constituency in the County that they serve on matters that deal with public safety and the establishment of policies and procedures that require a format for keeping the public-at-large informed of what is pertinent. Because the entire town of Kekaha is identified as being located in a flood zone area, I humbly bring this matter taken from a press release that came from the County of Kauai to your attention: "Property owners are urged to attend these meetings to get the latest information on how the flood map changes..." The complete text of this notice can be found in the attachment to this email message. Yet, these meetings have been scheduled to be held in Kapaa, Lihue, and Koloa. No mention for ANY meeting is made for west Kauai residents. I cannot help but wonder about the following: 1. Shouldn't FEMA have been advised that it would be wise to hold one of these meetings anywhere between Hanapepe and Kekaha with three of these WEST-SIDE communities being identified as being in flood zone areas on the island of Kauai? 2. What considerations were reviewed for working people to get to the meeting scheduled in Koloa for residents living on the west side? 3. Shouldn't another meeting for WEST KAUAI residents be scheduled before the November deadline? This is a matter of grave concern. I am certain that the public would welcome an explanation on this matter from any of our public officials. Any assistance to accommodate west Kauai residents would be appreciated.

News Release from the Kauai County Public Works Department Donald Fujimoto, County Engineer Tel (808) 241-4996 Fax (808) 241-6604 Public information meetings scheduled on new flood maps for Kaua'i. Important information on the new flood insurance rate maps developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be discussed at upcoming meetings on Kaua'i. Property owners are urged to attend these meetings to get the latest information on how the flood map changes, which become effective on Nov. 26, will affect them, and the options that are available to those whose homes are in a flood zone. Among the towns that will be significantly impacted by the flood map changes are: Kapa‘a; Hanapēpē; Po'ipū; Waimea and Kekaha. The public information meetings are scheduled as follows: • Wednesday, Aug. 25 – 4:30 to 7 pm, Kapa‘a Middle School cafeteria • Thursday, Aug. 26 – 9 am to 12 pm, Līhu'e Neighborhood Center •Thursday, Aug. 26 – 4:30 to 7 pm, Kōloa Neighborhood Center FEMA’s Region 9 engineer, planner and flood insurance specialist, along with staff from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will be available to answer questions and assist property owners with determining their flood risk. Personnel from the county’s Department of Public Works will be on hand to answer building permit questions for property owners who are considering developing in newly mapped, high-risk flood zones. The public may also preview the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DIRMs) by visiting the Hawai'i Flood Hazard Assessment Tool website, www.gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat/. For more information, please contact: Wynne Ushigome at 241-4890 or via email: wushigome@kauai.gov. Anyone who requires materials in an alternate format or an auxiliary aid in order to participate in a meeting should contact Ushigome at least seven days prior to the meeting.