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Kumu Hou Development Project Written Testimony for the March 23rd, Hawaii
County Council Meeting
Dear Hawaii County Council Members,
The State and Counties of Hawaii are responsible for protecting the water resources of
Hawaii, recognizing that the waters of the State are held in trust for the benefit of the N oC-)
citizens of the State. CC:)
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In making decisions on land use and permit applications, Hawaii County should follow CD�
Public Trust Doctrine, precautionary principles and the guidance provided in the 2019 n- -*ice
update of the Hawaii Water Resource Protection Plan. The Commission on Water Resourc-f
Management (CWRM) plan is there to support the counties' long-range plans and policies
regarding land and water use. CWRM highlighted the limited remaining water resource --
available in the Waimea Aquifer System in its 2019 update.
Figure 2-1 2016 Reported Ground Water Use as a Percentage of Sustainable Yield
Now
0 '25 25 50 75 '00
Wes
2016 Reported Ground Water Use as a Percentage of Sustainable Yield
No reports of water use'.o Gb'Vkt✓ -
10-29`'� ..
30-49
50-694. L
70-89°a,
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-100°.,,,- c
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Apui`er System Boundary —
The Waimea Aquifer Systern on Hawaii Island is the closest to approaching its sustainable
yield as seen in the above figure from CWRM's 2019 update. Note the above assessment is
based on data from 2016, i.e., five years ago.
Comm. No.. 5q-J' 1 t V
Ref. To:
Ref. bate °`'`'d 202
In the 2019 update of the Hawaii Water Resource Protection Plan, the sustainable yield
(defined as the maximum amount of water that may normally be withdrawn from a source
without significantly impairing the source) for the Waimea Aquifer System was significantly
lowered from 24 million gallons per day to a provisional 16 million gallons per day, subject
to further modification by CWRM.
The basis used by Kumu Hou's hydrogeologist to determine there is adequate water supply
from the Waimea Aquifer System (WAS) does not take into account today's water demand
or demand from approved projects still under construction. The hydrogeologist estimated
the current pumpage from WAS is approximately 13.2 million gallons per day from all
sources in making the adequate water supply determination. However, this figure only
represents a five-year historical WAS pumpage average from 2015 through 2019.
One needs only to take a drive through Waikoloa Village and the Waikoloa resort areas to
see the hundreds of new units currently under construction whose water demands are not
factored into the 13.2 million gallons per day basis. The other major concern regarding
water supply from Waimea Aquifer System is the expected reduced recharge rate as a
result of climate change. For example, historic drought conditions in Maui County are
already impacting stream supply and groundwater recharge prompting CWRM to advise
people in Maui to reduce water use. The following excerpt from the 2019 Hawaii Water
Resource Protection Plan further explains the climate change concern:
"Climate change is expected to result in many water resource changes, including intensified
flooding and drought, reduced recharge to ground water aquifers in leeward areas, elevation of
basal aquifers due to sea level rise, and higher water use. In general, researchers expect wet
areas in Hawo `i to get wetter and dry areas to get drier. However, there is considerable
uncertainty in future predictions of climate. This will change water demands and supplies in
some areas and require adaptation in demand management, water infrastructure, and
distribution. Proactive planning is needed for such climate change scenarios, including projected
water demands and expected water availability in localized areas."
In keeping with CWRM's guidance, the Public Trust Doctrine and precautionary principles,
proactive planning on projected water demands and expected water availability for the
Waimea Aquifer System is much needed. This action would be in the public's best interest,
even with the Kumu Hou project's willingness to lower its net draft from the WAS to zero.
Given the limited water supply, what is the best public use of 0.5 million gallons per day of
water in this area... is it growing more food, building more affordable housing, providing
water for Hawaiian Home Lands, or building more time share units to increase tourism?
Mahalo for your consideration on this matter,
Mary Metcalf