Regarding “Ala Wai issue bigger than some houses” (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 7): In Palolo, many homes are located below the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) proposed 30-foot “detention dam,” which is designed to slow a 100-year flood toward Waikiki. They are in the path of a 30-foot wall of mud and debris if the structure fails.

The USACE is not well-known for its successful projects, but for those that have failed in the past. The Mississippi River flood control system is an example of a USACE design failure during Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of people died. The state and city have not adequately maintained some water courses, so how can we be confident that we will be safe?

In this case it is difficult to accept the actions of government regarding our safety. Stop this project now so that due diligence of design and alternatives can occur. Don’t trade the lives of our citizens for the economic well-being of Waikiki.

Steve Holmes

Palolo

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