Testify in support of protecting Kihei’s wetlands

3/28/2025 #kihei #wetlands #flooding

A message from our South Maui representative in the House of Representative, Terez Amato:

 

In Kihei we have had 3 once in 100 year floods in the last 5 years, with millions in damage and even loss of life.

50 years of development on wetlands in Kihei can’t be undone with a magic wand, but protecting wetlands is an important part of our comprehensive strategy to protect our reefs and to mitigate threat from future flooding events. I have introduced HCR199/HR191 in the House of Representatives as well as authored similar measures which have now passed the Senate.

Wetlands are a vital part of Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and are necessary filters that protect our oceans from runoff.

Without maintained wetlands, there will be increased damage to aquatic life, coral reefs, water quality, land, businesses, roads and residences from floods.

This resolution which has passed Senate will die in the House without your testimony.

Please consider testifying on and encouraging others to testify on HCR199/HR191. 

$Millions we have brought in to fence off deer and resolutions to rebuild poorly designed bridges are not enough:

 

To testify: sign up at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/account/login.aspx?return=/account/submittestimony.aspx? 

Create an account or login the Enter HCR199 or see instructions on how to testify. 

 

I am appending a draft testimony to this email.  Please feel free to use it or to write your own.

 

Preserving wetlands matters.  Reducing Flood risk matters.  Your involvement matters.

 

Please submit testify this weekend, before Monday 3/31 by 10 am.

If you are on Maui Zoom testimony Tuesday is also powerful! Zoom in at 10:45 am Tuesday 4/1 – no joke- to testify by zoom!

 

Mahalo for working with me to preserve our environment.

 

Representative Terez Amato Representing South Maui: House District 11 – Kīhei (Kula Kai), Wailea, Makena

 

Testimony                                                                                                                           

To:           Chair Lowen, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

                Vice Chair Perruso, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

From:      ______________

Date:       March 28, 2025

Re:           Testimony in Support of companions HR191 and HCR199 Protect Wetlands

______________________________________________________________________

 

Aloha Chair Lowen and Vice Chair Perruso,

 

Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of companions HCR199/ HR191, “Protect Wetlands.” 

 

I urge you to adopt these companion resolutions that prioritize the protection of the State’s wetlands, and anchialine pools, which host delicate ecosystems and endangered species in the State. 

 

Wetlands are a vital part of Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and are necessary filters that protect our oceans from stream, storm, and urban runoff.  Without maintained wetlands, there will be increased damage to aquatic life, coral reefs, water quality, land, businesses, roads, and residences in flooding disasters.

 

Mahalo for your consideration.