HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCENRM 001 2025-05-06 2024-2026
REPORT OF THE
POLICY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
DATE: May 6, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 233/Res. No. 137-25
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai‘i County Council
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Your Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Management, to which was referred
Resolution No. 137-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 137-25, transmitted by Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba via Communication
No. 233, dated April 9, 2025, requests the Department of Water Supply to develop and maintain an
online system that displays general water availability County-wide, including number of units,
active commitments, and developer agreements.
This resolution creates an online system hosted and maintained by the Department of Water Supply
that would provide access to reliable, transparent, and up-to-date information about water availability
for informed decision-making and to support the County’s long-term goals for sustainable
developments and water resource management.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba provided a brief summary of this measure.
Department of Water Supply Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto and Deputy Director Kawika Uehara were
present and expressed support for the resolution.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked how often the water department evaluates service and deep
water well yield. Mr. Okamoto stated ground water is straight forward and is the capacity of the pump
and motor, the factors of water availability and commitment are more art than science. He also stated
that the Department of Water Supply is responsible for honoring agreements with a water commitment
deposit.
Committee Members further discussed online data directory timeline, water source availability for island
regions, and climate change effects on water source.
Committee Chair Rebecca Villegas shared comments and requested the Department of Water Supply
keep the Council abreast of the water use development plan.
PCENRM Report No.: 1
PCENRM-1 Page 2 May 6,2025
Your Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Management is in accord with the purpose
and intent•of Resolution No. 137-25, and recommends its adoption.
ca
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
GALIMBA X
HUSTACE X POLICY COMMITTEE ON
INABA X ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL
KAGIWADA x RESOURC ANAL
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X REBECCA VILLEGAS, CHAIR
ONISHI X PCENRM REPORT NO.: 1
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: MAY 2 1 2025