Update: May 8 Community meeting regarding water-delivery agreement with Free Market Ventures is canceled

Update: 6:38 p.m., May 6, 2024

Council Member Tom Cook and Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura announced today that the May 8 community meeting to gather input from the community on a proposed water-delivery agreement has been canceled. The meeting was to be held in conjunction with the Department of Water Supply. 

“We were informed today that the Department of Water Supply will not be pursuing the project proposed by Free Market Ventures, LLC for wells in Kula, and that the department will instead take into consideration the community’s input received and seek out other alternatives including the possibility of a County-developed option. The initial work to develop County wells is included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Water Supply budget as well as a reservoir at the Kamole Water Treatment Plant,” shared Sugimura and Cook. 

The department intends to host an informational meeting at a later date to share any options identified that would help meet the needs of Upcountry Maui residents. With this new update, the May 8th community meeting that was scheduled to discuss this project, will not proceed as planned.

Although the community meeting is canceled; Councilmember Cook and Council Vice-Chair Sugimura will still be available to meet with community members on May 8th at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

“This proposal has generated a lot of very productive dialog as we continue to address Upcountry Maui’s water needs,” said Sugimura. “I want to thank all of our community members for their input and collaboration, as well as the Department of Water Supply.”

“The Water and Infrastructure Committee looks forward to continue working with the Department of Water Supply in addressing the County’s growing need for water while ensuring impacts to our residents are not only considered but is in the community’s best interest,” added Cook. 

The Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center is located at 91 Pukalani St. in Pukalani. 

For more information, contact Cook’s office at (808) 270-7108 and [email protected] or Sugimura’s office at (808) 270-7939 and [email protected]. 

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Council Member Tom Cook and Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura will co-host a community meeting at 6 p.m. on May 8 at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center. The meeting’s intent is to gather input from the community and provide information regarding the County of Maui’s proposed water-delivery agreement with Free Market Ventures.

In early April, in response to community feedback and at the request of Director of Water Supply John Stufflebean, the Maui County Council recommitted Resolution 24-47 to the Water and Infrastructure Committee for further review. The resolution authorizes Mayor Richard T. Bissen’s administration to enter into an agreement with Free Market Ventures, LLC, which includes drilling wells in Kula and the County purchasing water from the private source. 

“As the Council further reviews this potential agreement, it is important for us to continue involving the community in the process,” said Sugimura.

“The Water and Infrastructure Committee also looks forward to continue working with the Department of Water Supply in examining this potential agreement and assessing its impacts to our community,” added Cook. 

The Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center is located at 91 Pukalani St. in Pukalani.