KA'A'AWA — Windward legislators want to provide a non-refundable tax credit of up to $10,000 to homeowners whose properties were damaged by recent heavy rains and flooding, but residents are saying more has to be done.

State Sen. Clayton Hee and Reps. Ken Ito and Michael Magaoay announced their intention Tuesday at a news conference held at the Ka'a'awa Bridge where the Makaua Stream eroded a significant portion of the property next to Kamehameha Highway.

Fulvio Fonda and Mitchell Balutski, who live near the stream, said the tax credit is good, but action needs to be taken now to prevent further erosion along its channel.

"The tax credit means you're going to be saving money down the line but if you don't do nothing now, it's only going to get worse," said Balutski, whose home sits at the edge of the stream.

Makaua Stream near the bridge was about 40 feet wide before flooding, Balutski said. Now it is 80 feet wide, he said, and clearance beneath the bridge has been reduced from 7 feet to 3 feet.

Balutski, whose home sustained $25,000 in damage, said a reinforced wall should be built from where the stream bends at his home to the bridge. That would channel the water and protect the most vulnerable side of the stream.

"All the material is right here," he said indicating that the boulders in the stream could be used to reinforce the wall. "All you need is concrete."

The tax credit will help residents, but the city or state must take responsibility to correct problems with the stream, Fonda said. "My yard is cracking and ready to fall into the stream."

George Okuda, chairman of the Kahalu'u Neighborhood Board, said a comprehensive study could help determine the best approach to take.

Other residents agreed, saying they are glad to have the tax credit and hope the Legislature will approve it this session.

Hee, Ito and Magaoay, D-46th (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield), want to insert language into a bill currently before the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Ito, D-48th (Kane'ohe), initially introduced the measure, House Bill 1448 House Draft 2, in 2005.

Titled "Relating to income tax credit," it was intended to provide a tax credit for the installation of automated fire sprinklers.

The three Windward legislators have asked the Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman to insert language into the bill that is identical to a second pending measure that would provide relief for the October 2004 Manoa flood victims.

"This measure will provide homeowners with a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the losses incurred by the taxpayer for repairs, insurance, rental or other expenses or costs related to damages caused to the taxpayer's real or personal property by the heavy rain and flood in March of 2006," said Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku).

The bill would help residents from Kane'ohe to Kahuku but it could also be amended to help residents in other areas of the state, including Kaua'i and Waimanalo, Hee said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.