Virtual Public Hearings Scheduled for Input on Hawaiʻi’s State Water Projects Plan Update

The Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) will hold public hearings online Jan. 13 and 14, 2021 for an update to the State Water Projects Plan (SWPP).

The SWPP is one of five component plans that together constitute the Hawai‘i Water Plan. The major objective of the SWPP is to provide a framework for planning and implementation of water development programs to meet projected water demands for State projects, such as schools, harbors, parks, agricultural parks and office buildings.

The SWPP reviews current and future state water projects to ensure orderly authorization and development of the State’s water resources. The SWPP found that by 2034, an additional 34 million gallons per day (mgd) of potable water and more than 148 mgd of non-potable water is needed to support State projects. The SWPP contains a breakdown of these water needs by county, by State Department and by hydrologic unit.

The State Water Project Plan update can be viewed online at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/planning/hiwaterplan/swpp/.

Staff of the Commission for Water Resource Management will be holding two online hearings at the dates and times listed below:

• Jan. 13, 2021 (Wednesday) at 9:00 am  

• Jan.14, 2021 (Thursday) at 6:00 pm      

Due to safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be held remotely, with the Hearing Officer, presenters and testifiers participating via online meeting venue.  The virtual open hearing will be broadcast via live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/user/dlnrcwrm/

If you wish to provide live oral/video testimony during the online meeting, email CWRM at [email protected] no later than 48 hours in advance, with your name, phone number, email address and your computer identification name (check your device settings). CWRM staff will provide the meeting link information to you. Testifying at one of the two virtual hearings listed above will be enough to have your comments recognized and recorded.

The CWRM will accept written testimony until Feb. 15, 2021.  Testimony should be mailed to the Commission on Water Resource Management, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, PO Box 621, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96809. Written testimony also can be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 808-587-0219.

Disabled individuals planning to attend the hearings are asked to contact the CWRM (at the above address or phone 808-587-0214) at least three days in advance of the hearing to indicate if they have special needs that require accommodation.