Among the threats the proposed $345 million Ala Wai Flood Control Project addresses: a 100-year event — meaning there’s a 1 percent probability of it occurring in any given year — in which stormwaters descending from the Koolaus spill from tributaries and the Ala Wai Canal to flood Waikiki, causing damage to some 3,000 structures and requiring more than $1 billion in repairs.

Despite the long odds, such a scenario calls for more than fingers-crossed. Planned mitigation measures, some of which affect private property edging the Ala Wai watershed, will be discussed at a town hall meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Manoa Valley District Park.

Beefing up the school lunch

At at time when local agriculture seems to be struggling for market share, it was gratifying to learn that public school students are enjoying more local beef in their lunches. Kauai-based Kunoa Cattle Co. announced last week that it began supplying half the beef served in Oahu’s 168 public schools through the end of the year. Let’s hope the trend continues, and with more grass-fed beef, please.