CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
A town hall meeting about a project to lessen flood risks at the Ala Wai Canal was held Tuesday evening at Manoa Valley District Park. Pictured speaking is Imaikalani Winchester, a kumu at Halau Ku Mana charter school in Makiki whose campus and loi sites would be affected by the project. Winchester questioned why the project developers did not consult with the Native Hawaiian community, whose ancestors engineered the perfect water systems.
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The flood management plans that have been proposed will never completely protect Waikiki (“Flood control plan for Ala Wai strongly opposed at meeting,” Star-Advertiser, March 20).
The biggest factor in flooding will come from the ocean in a few decades.
Instead of trying to control the natural water flow, use the water as the Native Hawaiians had, allowing for taro farming and fish ponds.
Combine a foot bridge over the canal with canoe club facilities, and Waikiki becomes a better place for everyone.
Building dikes around the canal is an idea that is based on conquering nature, not embracing nature.
Let the wealthy property owners in Waikiki protect their own interests with their own money.
Eric Phillips
Kapahulu
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