Let’s presume there’s a finite amount of local money that government can work with annually. Because that’s true- at the city, county and state levels. And let’s say there are pre-emptive projects that “could” be contracted that might preclude future incidents and accidents from occurring. Because that’s also arguably true. How then do you make prescient choices on what to fix and what to let languish? As lots of discussions about who’s to blame and what could’ve/should’ve been done in Lahaina continue, and as the lawsuits multiply, let’s explore some O`ahu issues that need fixing or addressing as we ask- how much? how vital? and when?
Like the Ala Wai Canal, which has seen work done, but not much serious talk lately about berms or repairs upstream to prevent a catastrophic, 100-year flood. Like the boulders which topple down in Nu’uanu, Mānoa, Pearl City, and other places as erosion plus time causes too many nature nightmares. Barriers are not going to be placed alongside the Ala Wai or its upstream areas- unsightly and expensive. (Most) hillside residents don’t want unsightly fencing placed throughout vertical expanses, even with potential rock slide potential above. And what about statewide coastal flooding?
In the past month alone we’ve seen water main breaks in Aiea, Kalihi (Waiakamilo) and in the Ala Moana area… where they seem like Whack-A-Mole dilemmas. Should decades old water and sewer pipes be replaced in advance of problems perhaps likely to occur “someday”? What about the upkeep of our bridges? Should infrastructure be retrofitted (arguably) prematurely to preclude possible collapse? Pinpointed repairs recommended for Aloha Stadium were not funded/handled in time; so that facility is now closed. Decisions often come down to at-the-moment priorities and available cash.
To be clear, I am neither not second-guessing any thought processes as to what might have been done on Maui, nor am I suggesting what absolutely should be done on O`ahu. People in the know must deal with such decisions. When does pro-active maintenance become valuable enough to take precedence over other projects, and what vital municipal projects will not get done if limited funds are diverted?
Whether you care to consider these aforementioned events byproducts of climate change or prefer to deny that such a thing even exists, the tools, resources, political wherewithal, and actions to be taken for preventive, proactive, infrastructure maintenance sometimes looks clear in retrospect… when sadly it’s too late.
Think about it…