#Cwrm
Public urged to monitor real-time stream conditions as storm approaches Hawaiʻi
With a third storm system forecast to impact the state of Hawaiʻi over the next few days, residents and visitors are reminded that real-time stream data is available as one of several tools they can use to stay informed.
Statewide updates on kona low weather event
The state of Hawaiʻi departments and federal partners have been actively working throughout the second kona low weather event that hit Hawaiʻi, to assist with cleanup on O‘ahu and preparing as the kona low approaches the eastern Hawaiian Islands today through Sunday.
Landowners cautioned about unauthorized use of heavy machinery in stream channels
With severe storm conditions affecting parts of the state, the Commission on Water Resource Management (Commission) has received reports of unauthorized stream channel alterations occurring on various islands. Such unpermitted work can threaten public safety by worsening flooding and diverting flood waters onto neighboring properties.
Who should get first crack at water licenses in Hawaiʻi? This bill wants it to be the counties
The proposal comes at a time when Maui County is hoping to one day take over the private system used to divert streams in East Maui.
Hawai’i Senate Majority Outlines Priorities For The Upcoming 2026 Legislative Session
The Hawai’i Senate Majority today announced its 2026 legislative priorities in advance of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Opening Day on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
MLP files countersuit alleging ‘false claims’ over water maintenance, pointing instead to historic drought
Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. has filed a countersuit against Kapalua Golf Courses and Luxury Homes alleging “misinformation” on water use and drought conditions. MLP says TY Management, owner of the Kapalua golf courses chose “false claims,” and says the countersuit was filed in an effort to “set the record straight.”
Lawsuit against Maui Land & Pineapple fuels debate over water supply and reveals The Sentry golf tournament is in jeopardy
Severe water restrictions in West Maui have led to the Plantation at Kapalua golf course that hosts the PGA Tourʻs The Sentry tournament of champions becoming so brown that the owner said it may soon have to close.
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.
Controversial CWRM appointee withdraws; applicants sought to fill vacancies
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and its Commission on Water Resource Management is looking to fill the Loea seat after V.R. Hinano Rodrigues of Maui withdrew his nomination.
Gov. Green selects Ciara Kahahane as head of Commission on Water Resource Management
Governor Josh Green, M.D., has appointed Ciara (pronounced Key-ruh) Kahahane, currently serving in the Complex Litigation Division of the Department of the Attorney General, to be the next first deputy of the state Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM). Her appointment is subject to approval by CWRM.
Community meeting to address instream flow standards for Waikōloa
This report will serve as the primary reference for subsequent amendments to the interim instream flow standards for the Waikoloa, Kohākōhau, and Wai‘ula‘ula streams in the surface water hydrologic unit of Waikōloa.
Fixes to Hawaiʻi’s Water Commission advance in the House, SB3327 calls for an independent commission
Senate Bill 3327 SD1 HD1 proposes to separate the Water Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize conflicts of interests between the two agencies. The bill would also grant the agency its own authority to declare emergencies, retain independent legal counsel, and levy fines up to $60,000 per violation of the Water Code.
Kaleo Manuel to depart the Commission on Water Resource Management
Kaleo Manuel, the First Deputy on the state Commission on Water Resource Management is apparently leaving his post after being reassigned following the August wildfires, and then reinstated two months later following an investigation by the Attorney General.
Testimony at CWRM meeting centers on West Maui stream restoration, return of Mokuʻula
The state Commission on Water Resource Management held a marathon meeting on Maui Tuesday, lasting nearly nine hours. Members received testimony and updated the public on the Lahaina Aquifer Sector Area including wells in the fire-impacted area, water resources at Kauaʻula and Interim Instream Flow Standards (IIFS) for area waterways.
