#Commission on Water Resource Management
Maui Council advances interim ban on new private pools in West Maui
The Maui County Council advanced a bill aimed at water conservation in arid West Maui by imposing an interim ban on new private swimming pools.
Gov. Green announces appointments to boards and commissions
Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday announced several appointments and reappointments to state boards and commissions, bringing experience in water resource management, ethics, agriculture and community development to state service.
Maui Land & Pineapple fined $140K for streamflow violations, but can offset penalty with improvements
The state Commission on Water Resource Management gave the company a chance to offset the fine by making improvements to its water system in Honokōhau Valley.
State clarifies Central Maui pumping data; groundwater aquifer limits are under review
State water regulators have clarified data regarding groundwater pumping in Central Maui, acknowledging that while current withdrawals exceed official sustainable yield limits, those limits are conservative estimates that are now under re-evaluation. The clarification comes following an Oct. 28 staff briefing before the state Commission on Water Resource Management. The main focus of the briefing […]
BLNR defers decision on contested case for East Maui streams
After several hours of receiving public comments, the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday, Nov. 14, to defer for six months its decision-making on a DLNR Land Division recommendation to hold a contested case hearing over the proposed disposition of a water license by public auction, or by a set aside via a governor’s executive order to the County of Maui, for the diversion of public surface water from the Koʻolau Forest Reserve.
As frustrated West Maui community waits for state water permit approvals, dispute over golf course irrigation grows
The water commission has yet to approve any of the more than 140 permit applications for water use in West Maui that were filed two years ago shortly before the Lahaina fire.
Maui Water Department begins initial planning for West Maui desalination plant
The Maui County Department of Water Supply is taking the first steps toward developing its first publicly owned desalination facility in West Maui. The project would extend the arid region’s water resources beyond current ground and surface water limitations that currently force the department to cope with a Stage 2 water shortage. With a desalination […]
Earthjustice asks water commission to stop Kapalua golf courses from using drinking water for irrigation
The environmental law firm claims the golf courses unlawfully used millions of gallons of potable water to irrigate their greens, and that the state water commission chair knew about it.
Biggest water users in West Maui before fire were non-owner-occupied homes, report finds
The state water commission is trying to decide who should get permits to use water in West Maui, with 93 existing use permits and 48 new applications under review.
ML&P ditch system improvements designed to keep water in Honokōhau Stream during low flow
Based on community feedback and in coordination with the Commission on Water Resource Management, an improved system was designed, featuring new automated gates and remote communication technology that will enable operators to control water diversions in real-time based on rain data and stream flows.
Maui Council committee advances bills for acquisition of Wailuku Executive Center, expansion of Kula Ag Park
The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has recommended full Council approval of bills to acquire a new building for the Department of Prosecuting Attorney and to re-appropriate funds for phase one expansion of the Kula Agricultural Park. On Tuesday, the committee, chaired by Yuki Lei Sugimura, took up Bills 103 and […]
State water commission takes fire for ‘inaction’ amid West Maui water crisis
The state Commission on Water Resource Management heard testimony Tuesday from West Maui residents frustrated with the commission’s “inaction” in managing delivery of water to residents and farmers in a region beset by a severe drought. The dry conditions underpinned Tuesday’s announcement by the PGA Tour that it would not hold its annual The Sentry […]
Maui Council green-lights fast-track affordable housing at Kahului Civic Center site
Maui County Council members have unanimously approved a state, fast-tracked affordable housing, mixed-use development called Kaiahale ‘o Kahiluhilu.
Council panel moves ahead with Kahului housing project, sparks debate over water availability
A unanimous vote by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee to advance an affordable housing project in Kahului drew criticism Wednesday from West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin. She found it “disgusting” that Maui County and developers found a way – through a water availability exemption – to make water available for […]
Maui County, US Geological Survey collaborate on West Maui water project
The Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee received a briefing Monday afternoon on a bill that would authorize the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the US Geological Survey for water resource exploration in West Maui.
Decline in West Maui water supply means new housing projects will have to wait
Maui County is hoping to bring another well online by this summer, but it would be limited to temporary housing projects and homes rebuilt after the 2023 wildfire.
DLNR: Some Maui and Kauaʻi streams flowing at record-low levels
“We are seeing record-low flows in terms of the entire period of record on Kawaikōī, that’s about 109 years. In some of the East Maui streams, 105 years. But we’ve not seen low flows like this across the state to this extent ever before,” said Dr. Aryon Strauch, CWRM’s lead hydrologist.
Senate bill calls for changes on Commission on Water Resource Management
At the request of the Maui County Council, Senate President Ronald Kouchi (Kaua’i, Ni’ihau) has introduced a bill to make changes to operations of the state Commission on Water Resource Management.
Maui native appointed to state Commission on Water Resource Management
V.R. Hinano Rodrigues, a native of Olowalu, has been appointed to serve on the state Commission on Water Resource Management, which determines who gets water resources statewide.
County hosting Water Use and Development Plan implementation meetings
The first meeting takes place today at Helene Hall for Hāna Sector from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
