The city Department of Facility Maintenance is under pressure to clear vegetation and other debris from nearly 100 city-owned waterways that flow across Oahu to protect the environment and prevent flooding.

The Honolulu City Council recently has been focused on the need for DFM to take a proactive approach to address vital infrastructure challenges, especially for flooding and stormwater management.

But the department recently told the Council that current efforts are hampered by the challenges of aging infrastructure, sea-level rise and security issues over the island’s fresh water supply, as well as low staffing and lack of access to necessary funding and equipment.

The gap between resources and funding also is widening, according to DFM, who said that the current total cost of servic

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