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n � <br /> STEPHEN P. BOWLES <br /> CONSULTING HYDROLOGIST - GEOLOGIST <br /> 4988 MAUNALANI CIRCLE TELEPHONE <br /> HONOLULU, HAWAII 96816 737-2961 <br /> October 2, 1979 <br /> Hon . Stephen Yamashiro <br /> Council Chairman <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear Mr. Yamashiro : <br /> For the past eighteen years , I have been intimately involved <br /> in water development in Hawaii County as well as elsewhere in <br /> the State . From 1969 , to date , I have been self employed as a <br /> Consulting Hydrologist-Geologist, closely involved . in the development <br /> and management of the water resources of our State . <br /> I have become aware that efforts are being made within Hawaii <br /> County to place the Department of Water Supply under the direct <br /> administration of the Office of the Mayor. Over the course of the <br /> past twenty years , the quasi-independent D .O .W.S . has been very <br /> successful in consolidating and expanding systems on Hawaii and <br /> 'has an admirable record . Other Counties have been less successful <br /> in their efforts in the past ten years , largely as a result of a <br /> lack of foresight in system planning , development, and financing. <br /> The latter cases are a result of political expediency . <br /> I 'm urging you, in your role as Council Chairman , to be <br /> cautious in handling the independence of . the D .O .W .S. In my <br /> experience in water resource development and management , I have <br /> found the case for independence to be very strong when considering <br /> resource management and long range system planning and financing . <br /> Neighbor island Counties have been lacking in thorough water <br /> resource knowledge for as long as can be remembered . This fact , <br /> coupled with a constant limitation of financial and technical <br /> resources , is the primary cause of water complaints . I don 't <br /> believe that an administrative change will rectify the situation , <br /> rather it will compound the problem, as is the case on Oahu. The <br /> manipulation of admistrative and financial independence of the <br /> Honolulu BWS is at the root of the current problem. <br /> Pressures to open lands to intense development without <br /> appropriate water resource knowledge and development are the primary <br /> villains leading to public dissatisfaction . Unfortunately, water <br />