Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) announced that the U.S. House yesterday approved major legislation to address improvements for the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, environment, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure.
Case’s requests were included in H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. WRDA is developed and passed by Congress every two years. The House approved this Congress’ bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 415-9.
WRDA-authorized federal projects are critical to communities throughout the country to keep them connected and safe and to strengthen the overall U.S. economy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implements these projects in partnership with federal, local and state agencies, non-government organizations and tribal nations.
Case works with government and community partners well in advance of each WRDA to request authorization of projects key to Hawaii’s safety, security and economy. The four provisions secured by Case in the 2026 WRDA include:
- Expanding and upgrading Honolulu Harbor.
Case secured approval for an update on the in-depth study called for in previous measures on critical improvements to Honolulu Harbor which includes Case’s successful push in 2024 to amend the WRDA to reflect the expanded complexity, scope and funding needs for the Harbor, including elements of coastal storm risk management. House approval of the 2026 WRDA will help continue the project and focus its benefits on disaster resilience and enhanced national security from improved utilization of the harbor.
“As the main port of the State of Hawai‘i, Honolulu Harbor receives and distributes all overseas cargo shipments constituting over 80% of all imports into the state, supports fishing operations and cruise ships and handles federal maritime activity including the U.S. Coast Guard’s 14th District,” said Case.
“Providing this additional refined and expanded authorization will ensure our critical harbor is designed for resilience and that this literal lifeline for Hawai‘i remains operational in the face of natural disaster and other contingencies.”
Case said the 2026 WRDA also includes his call for the status of the assessment of the benefits of the project modification on disaster resiliency and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense.
Case secured a complementary provision to conduct a full review of Honolulu Harbor’s critical role in our nation’s defense and security. “With Honolulu Harbor being the main port for the State of Hawai‘i, our national defense presence also depends on this harbor to remain strong and reliable to maintain a steady flow of resources for our military needs and communities,” said Case.
Case added: “Strengthening this harbor will allow for enhanced military readiness and resilience and for our communities to be prepared for a national security threat. This provision directs USACE to consider the benefits of project modification for disaster resilience and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense and assists in paving the way for full funding of improvement projects.”
- Management of the risks of floods and coastal storms in Waikīkī
The 2026 WRDA includes approval of Case’s requests for federal feasibility studies on the management of the risks triggered by floods and coastal storms risk in the vicinities of the Waikīkī Natatorium War Memorial, Kāimana Beach and Waikīkī Beach.
“As was recently witnessed by the storms that have battered Hawai‘i, we all are facing the real-life evidence every day of the effects of climate change including disastrous flooding, and we must continue our efforts to mitigate catastrophic impacts to the coastline that are major attractions to both our kamaʻāina and visitors to these locales in Waikīkī,” said Case.
- Expediting studies of projects O‘ahu, Maui and Kauaʻi
Case also secured approval to complete feasibility studies previously directed for the following projects (such studies being the first step in project authorization):
· Flood risk management for the Kaiaka-Waiʻalua watershed on O‘ahu;
· Flood risk and coastal storm risk management for the County of Kauaʻi; and,
· Flood risk management and ecosystem restoration for the County of Maui
- Expedite completion of a project on Kauaʻi
The 2026 WRDA also includes Case’s call to expedite completion of a project involving aquatic ecosystem restoration of the wetlands in Waimea on the island of Kauaʻi.
The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
· The House Committee on Transportation & infrastructure explanation of the 2026 WRDA is here.
###