Posted on: Friday, November 1, 2002

Two lawsuits seek Hilo flood damages

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Two years after flooding caused nearly $90 million in damage to Big Island homes, businesses and infrastructure, Hawai'i County is still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

Two lawsuits seeking damages were filed this week, claiming the county was negligent in designing and maintaining flood channels.

Thundering Seas Jewelry in the restored Hata building in downtown Hilo filed one of the complaints, stating the business lost $50,000 because flood channels were overwhelmed by the storm of Nov. 1-2, 2000. The second suit was filed by Charles Makanui and Carol Mae Makanui on 'Ainako Avenue, two miles upslope of Hilo, who allege defective design and construction of a drainage channel there.

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers has announced that four flood control projects damaged by the storm will be repaired for $3.7 million. The county will pay 20 percent of the cost.

The work includes projects in Wailoa, Alenaio and Waiakea-uka in Hilo as well as Pa'au'au in Pahala in Ka'u, which suffered the worst of the flooding.

The contractor for the repairs, which are expected to be finished by mid-June, is Super Gunite of Lake View Terrace, Calif.