September 2026

Mānoa Stream clearing near Woodlawn Drive bridge

In recent months, I’ve reported to Mānoa Neighborhood Board #7 about our work to address neighbors’ concerns over Mānoa Stream flooding during spring ‘kona low’ storms – with overgrown vegetation, debris and other potential obstructions near Woodlawn Bridge and several additional “hot spots” throughout the valley. MAHALO to the State Department of Transportation and City Department of Facility Maintenance for listening and taking action. Their coordinated stream-clearing work gave Mānoa an added measure of protection as Hurricane Lala approached and continued to help as Tropical Storm Moke followed. As we keep watch for Hurricane Lowell, that work reminds us how valuable preventive maintenance can be.

Lala also taught us that resilience involves much more than flooding. Mānoa Stream remained within its banks, but strong winds brought down trees and branches, blocked streets and contributed to power outages lasting four or five days — or longer — in some neighborhoods. My August and September Reports to NB #7 have identified both the progress we have made and the vulnerabilities that remain. And please attend Be Ready Manoa’s community preparedness fair on Saturday, September 17 to obtain new prevention tips: https://bereadymanoa.org/2026/08/31/be-ready-manoa-disaster-preparedness-fair/

As we recover from these extreme weather events, let’s turn the experiences into a practical 2027 agenda: sustained stream drainage/maintenance, tackling remaining Mānoa hazards, improving emergency communications, tree and utility resilience, and affordable backup power for extended outages.
There’s no time to waste...

Mahalo,

Carol Fukunaga

State Senator, District 11