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Waiohuli Water Agreement Beneficiary Consultation

COMMENT PERIOD OPEN: AUGUST 21 – SEPTEMBER 20

**SITE LOCATION CHANGE**

The proposed three well sites and section of transmission main was initially sited on the Waiohuli Economic Development Opportunities area (WE DO), which is a general lease area. These well sites and transmission main were shifted further south to shorten the transmission line route and to avoid the WE DO general lease area and any planned development by the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association.  Access to the alternate well sites will be through an existing dirt road through Keanuhea Street.

 

 

Previous Site Location:

 

 

MEETING NOTICE:

Waiohuli Wells Beneficiary Consultation

August 21, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Waiohuli Association Community Center

881 Lauie Drive Kula 96790

 

 

 

Purpose:

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will host a beneficiaries consultation meeting on a proposed Water Agreement with the County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) for the development of three (3) new groundwater wells and a water transmission system in Waiohuli, Maui for DHHL’s proposed developments in Central, South, and Upcountry Maui.

Trigger for Beneficiary Consultation:

This action triggers priority policy No.4 of the Water Policy Plan

4. Affirmatively communicate our decisions, our reasoning, and our performance in managing, stewarding, and using water before and after making major water decisions.

This requires beneficiary consultation and HHC approval of both the beneficiary consultation report and the MOU. The beneficiary consultation scheduled above will result in a report that will be brought to the HHC prior to their decision-making on this MOU. These matters are tentatively scheduled to come before the HHC for decision-making at the regular HHC meeting scheduled for October 20-21, 2025, in Kahului, Maui.

Summary of the Proposed Water Agreement

The proposed Waiohuli Wells development will take place on the following Tax Map Keys:

  • (2) 2-002-014-0000
  • (2) 2-028-181-0000
  • (2) 2-002-084-0000

Per the proposed Water Agreement, DHHL will be responsible for the development and costs associated with the construction of:

  • Three (3) groundwater wells;
  • The transmission system;
  • Pump control; and
  • The storage tank

 

Upon completion, the Department will dedicate the Waiohuli wells and system to DWS in perpetuity. According to the proposed conditions, the Waiohuli wells must be completed within six years of the execution of the MOU.

In exchange for DHHL’s water source and system improvements, upon completion, final inspection, and dedication and acceptance of the Waiohuli wells by DWS, DWS will allocate 1,728,000 gallons per day for DHHL’s proposed developments in:

  • Central;
  • South; and
  • Upcountry Maui

As a part of the proposed agreement, upon execution of the Water Agreement, DHHL will be granted the right to request up to 683,400 gallons per day in advanced water credits. This is contingent on:

  • The commencement of the development of the Waiohuli wells by DHHL; and
  • A cash payment for the water source, storage, and transmission components of the Water System Development Fee are paid to DWS at the time of installation

Upon completion and acceptance of the Waiohuli wells, DWS will reimburse the amounts paid to the Water System Development Fee. No additional water meters for water service beyond 683,400 gallons per day shall be installed until the completion accepted by DWS.

These matters are tentatively scheduled to come before the HHC for decision-making at the regular HHC meeting scheduled for October 20-21, 2025, in Kahului, Maui.

For more information on the proposed MOU, you may view it here.

DRAFT WATER AGREEMENT COMMENT PERIOD:

Questions?

For more information on the beneficiary consultation and report, please contact Cherie-Noelle Kaanana, DHHL Planning Office at [email protected] or (808) 730-0355.