News reports worldwide have chronicled the disastrous impact of flooding on lives and property. Hawaii is well acquainted with that, as climate change has set the pendulum swinging between deluges and drought.

Regardless, the city is one of many municipalities that have not dealt with the problem at scale — and it is not a new problem.

In fact, Oahu lists almost 100 city-owned and private waterways that need far more maintenance than they’re getting, a fact that exposes people and properties to danger. The streambeds and culverts are often clogged with debris and vegetation that dam up the flow of stormwater, overflowing into abutting homes.

The Honolulu City Council lately has turned its attention to the city Department of Facility Maintenance, responsible for keeping the waterways cle

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