[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6627060,"mediaKeyId","2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8","parentId",2730385,"title","Agencies push for closer collaboration on funding, data sharing and resilience for small water utilities","audioSeconds",500,"startMs",3746000,"endMs",4246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8&start=3746&end=4246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8/thumbnail_3746000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627060/Hawaii/Agencies-push-for-closer-collaboration-on-funding-data-sharing-and-resilience-for-small-water-utilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627060-3f84bdc623831e298611e246fa424ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098291&Signature=BfZoDiEb9HZ7aBr6g~ZMhE22lcsVGJQx3Cd0Uk0jTa3nGdtfx4gDnpzWAKzkka3rIedWEKxwQG0SGlda37Ktm01ii7E5towCesK4632xBti-g0y668~p3x3GOjsnguUIoCXahWa5mzqU08KenuaBchCncemzCbGNvzztgC2YnCegErcb42zdJKes~a-YUV8QOEKL3abz6m~wP~CP-vCLFXsUCogDO7oj1EGKK6OspeXwrsrisju-QKN9z9mH10Iw2V24g4zCIppuH3EWbQwlKE9kDXM-UMe0E1WV~062zBd79nD-3w~nfzeV-4zJRNt-DZSsDXur0KYYC1mkC6TkVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Public Utilities Commission","date","2025-03-21T20:54:08.94Z","article","Multiple agency representatives used the meeting to propose a standing collaboration focused on funding, data sharing, emergency response and resilience for small water and wastewater systems.

Why it matters: Presenters said small systems frequently face technical, managerial and financial challenges that show up in rate cases and sanitary surveys and that better interagency coordination could identify problems earlier and make financing and technical assistance easier to access.

What agencies said

- Funding and SRF: Dennis and other Safe Drinking Water Branch speakers (referenced in the meeting) and consumer‑advocacy staff discussed using State Revolving Fund and other low‑interest financing to help struggling systems. Michelangelo, executive director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy, said a centralized resource listing funding sources and qualification requirements would help utilities and customers: “If we can just pull, hey, this is where all our funding sources are and what they look at, and here's how you have to what you need to qualify, and here's what you need to do,” he said.

- Data sharing and early warning: multiple presenters urged sharing PUC rate‑case financial information, DOH sanitary surveys and CWRM monitoring data so agencies can identify systems at risk earlier. One presenter said that coordinated monitoring could help avoid last‑minute emergency filings like Punalu‘u’s.

- Resilience and emergency coordination: attendees raised disaster planning and resilience (including water availability for firefighting and operation during power outages). Department of Health staff explained DOH’s role as the primary contact under emergency support function 3 during acute incidents and cautioned about publishing emergency contact numbers publicly because of spam vulnerabilities.

- Practical next steps proposed: participants suggested a short list of follow‑up actions — compile agency contact lists and resources, run a shared case study exercise on a past small‑system failure, explore SRF and other financing path options, and develop a prioritized calendar of collaborative meetings. Commissioner Naomi Kauai and other participants volunteered to help streamline application processes for small utilities and to pursue cybersecurity and resilience guidance.

Ending: Meeting organizers said they would circulate a short survey to participant agencies on priorities and attempt to schedule follow-up collaborative meetings in the coming months to pursue case studies, shared data inventories and funding roadmaps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State Agencies Water Utility Regulation Meeting - Collaboration Meeting (Part 2 of 2)","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple agency representatives called for a standing collaboration to help small water utilities access financing, share technical and financial data, and improve resilience and emergency planning.","taxTitle","Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Executive , Hawaii","taxId",26068,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627065,"PUC outlines regulatory role, pending rate cases and emergency Punalu‘u request",329,2646000,2975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8&start=2646&end=2975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8/thumbnail_2646000.jpg","/articles/6627065/Hawaii/PUC-outlines-regulatory-role-pending-rate-cases-and-emergency-Punaluu-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627065-fbe07680be7a04b87d2bd6c4663221c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098291&Signature=QB6ORuC9DzPg0OWq9HN5Q2AL2R-LBngONEXXZ2gjK35qIVIAkinMnXlfE6d-DGrRcicSc65DeLSFpWEpzU0SOzfapFjUayg0Hocj5vQRHolWE2i9h3fY-wS0ftCTiY-GNzFP6Efs1S~6I5W4LRKaFDKQTc0gYz4LdaFdYySYVqBPI4JGG1P9a6lFk-y5RIQwKznws5bSZR~Bcnl41XQMbkeWo8scRtP9JXmeJAvjIuQc~c19S8ymbBVquFJtEdJCVbnFCzgQfeGEfH4n1KlGGD-ZFaaGTUplUNbG4GaA2lhC84WMVWZaUDdJgD0twFZ6JNcgAgesPXhMEr63-CtYMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carolyn Laborte, chief auditor at the Public Utilities Commission, reviewed the PUC’s jurisdiction over regulated utilities and outlined types of applications the commission receives — including certificates of public convenience and necessity (CPCNs), rate‑increase requests, asset transfers, financing approvals and sale of utility property.

Laborte described the PUC’s investigatory powers under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 269 and noted statutory deadlines for final decisions in rate cases depending on a utility’s revenue. She told meeting attendees that during the COVID emergency the commission implemented a disconnection moratorium and advised utilities not to file rate increases while the governor’s emergency proclamation was in effect.

Punalu‘u emergency rate request

Laborte highlighted an active, time‑sensitive case: Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation LLC, a South‑Big‑Island water and wastewater provider, has sought a temporary rate increase and will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. Laborte said, “they are requesting to increase rates by 2,457 percent.” She also noted the system’s current rates were set in 1977 at 75¢ per thousand gallons. The PUC posted links to the virtual meeting on its website for customer comments.

Other PUC matters

- Receivership and enforcement: Laborte said the PUC has statutory authority to appoint receivers for failing utilities (HRS cited), has considered that in past decades, and emphasized the need to coordinate receivership actions with Safe Drinking Water Branch and other agencies to ensure a successor entity can comply with drinking‑water rules.

- Preferential rates and penalties: she outlined statutes that permit preferential agricultural rates and described civil penalty authorities for noncompliance — up to $25,000 per day for regulated utilities.

Context and next steps

Laborte urged cross‑agency coordination on technical, managerial and financial information about small water systems, noting that operations and capital needs often emerge in rate cases and sanitary surveys. The PUC encouraged rate‑case participants, affected customers and public‑interest groups to file comments and attend dockets and hearings.

Ending: Laborte closed by directing attendees to the PUC docket portal for links to filings and the Punalu‘u hearing information.","PUC staff explained the commission’s authority over utilities, the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity process, pending water and wastewater rate dockets, and a high-profile emergency rate request from Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation LLC asking for a 2,457% temporary increase.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627070,"Commission describes Kapakai (Kapaa kai) analysis requirement and seeks better community verification",286,2574000,2860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8&start=2574&end=2860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8/thumbnail_2574000.jpg","/articles/6627070/Hawaii/Commission-describes-Kapakai-Kapaa-kai-analysis-requirement-and-seeks-better-community-verification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627070-06d5cfb28e2b084a1d221378a6b44b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098291&Signature=AQyY5H8o~pAm0TnJ0RsrH6dZQI8CvCIpe-UuF7US-9wrk7-YvlP4nul50O8G9O4nK-9enbzBfpd7dUKmBFBgyII2cs4LP5r5YIaFso0QTp1IHPaXTfKBt2FBGdj5e3wS366-sAWaGqOdnmTHyAd7akBUeuQ2v9lO~HNnDDN6EzrCB1sOjRX3SpmKVpZsPGfmOtaxZ76aQ664cAOsONqclcNdz9BDErdQ4fEkV7YOyfOhdcBPJp3ykfsX0Bp3C-2lVQnLg2Ci0rgB7~SYKKiz~oJPFh4in4yzUbXPrpuMW1sufF~mNqDdoicZu0Jgu1yJs6o7v54vMfJWb9qt9y29dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kira Kahohane, deputy director at the Commission on Water Resource Management, described how a Hawaii Supreme Court decision has required agencies and applicants to assess impacts on traditional and customary practices through what staff called a Kapakai (sometimes referenced in the meeting as Kapaka/Kapa'akai) analysis.

Kahohane said the commission and applicants must identify valued practices in a project area, assess impacts and propose feasible protections or mitigation. “At present, staff does their best to check online resources like the Kipuka database that's maintained by OHA,” Kahohane said, and she added that applicants are increasingly contracting consultants or cultural practitioners to prepare analyses.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff stressed that Kapakai analyses are a relatively new, evolving responsibility for the commission. Commissioners and Ahomoku Council engagement were cited as sources the commission uses to interpret cultural findings and determine whether proposed mitigation is adequate.

Key points

- Framework: staff summarized the three-step framework they apply: identify valued cultural/historical resources and extent of customary practice in the project area; assess how the project would affect those practices; and determine feasible actions the agency or applicant can take to protect the practices if impacts are found.

- Verification and practitioners: public commenters and staff urged that the commission and applicants consult kupuna and recognized practitioners in project areas. A public commentor who identified as a practitioner with the PUC asked whether the commission seeks out kupuna; staff said applicants’ Kapakai analyses often document interviews with practitioners and that the commission intends to develop guidance for better community consultation.

- Relationship with other reviews: staff noted Kapakai analyses and other statutory reviews (for example, the Section 106–style consultations modeled in DLNR rules) are separate analyses under different bodies of law; they sometimes overlap but are not identical, and staff said applications commonly include both types of reports.

Context and next steps

Staff said the commission will produce guidance on Kapakai analysis procedures and community consultation and that the Ahomoku Council is one of the bodies used to identify appropriate practitioners for particular places. Commissioners identified development of internal processes and improved verification as near‑term priorities.

Ending: Kahohane acknowledged gaps in current practice and told the meeting, “there's definitely room for improvement in that process.”","Commission staff discussed the Supreme Court–driven Kapakai analysis framework used to identify and protect traditional and customary practices when agencies approve permits. Staff said the process is evolving and that guidance, practitioner outreach and stronger verification methods are needed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627072,"Water Commission outlines groundwater limits, monitoring gaps and need for more data",1721,144000,1865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8&start=144&end=1865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730385-4fd195c5b32dc5342d51537277ffb7d8/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6627072/Hawaii/Water-Commission-outlines-groundwater-limits-monitoring-gaps-and-need-for-more-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627072-c5b8595c1d7a2ff38b47131d74bfb665/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098291&Signature=RGjrH69QIcE5ejuk~Yz7O1Yqp74gqkRd5ic9Nk7C5nkaysGlq92FOD4ire6vZgNimgsCl-HMRwJCX1oUh~CLImW3rZ7Vaov0z6a6ixkTlDquEdvAqGridzdblx2nYQ5KNV5B~jWfLQ4nIG48O5qFqi8VswG8QhThXMDeC-P9iGLciYCo5gMgZC43f3bBTShD4fEmmfqsE~JtpaBd2EGnT9zUsBXkRMG2beoqJoT2z4cWeuc20Spyrkrz9TX6ufH33Z6eNdVTPIze1fzAupEQZMZ0C-DV86DzK8VIWJ5KkN~pepSAF2Ez8IPCcSR1BaUIKZlM801FYo00cK-QlHA4ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Veil Fujii, planning-branch staff at the Commission on Water Resource Management, gave an overview of the commission’s responsibilities and the technical framework the state uses to manage freshwater.

The commission regulates freshwater quantity across public and private systems under the State Water Code and implements components of the Hawaii Water Plan, including long-range planning, conservation and drought work, and permitting for wells and stream diversions. “You know, nobody owns the water in Hawaii. The state is the trustee,” Fujii said, describing the commission’s role under the public-trust doctrine.

Why it matters: Commission staff said many resource-management decisions rely on scarce data. Fujii and other presenters described statewide counts (376 perennial streams, about 110 aquifer systems, roughly 5,500 known drilled wells and about 1,300 stream diversions) and said the agency’s operating budget and capital-improvement program are limited — Fujii named about $4,000,000 in operating funds and roughly $2,000,000 a year for CIP largely used for deep monitor-well design and construction.

Most important facts

- Sustainable yield definition: Fujii read the Water Code definition that sustainable yield is “the maximum rate at which water may be withdrawn from a water source without impairing the utility or quality of this water source as determined by the commission,” and said the commission uses sustainable-yield numbers for each aquifer system to manage groundwater withdrawals.

- Monitoring gaps and deep monitor wells: staff described a priority to install at least one funded deep monitor well per fiscal year to improve understanding of the freshwater lens and saltwater interface, and said many neighbor-island aquifers lack deep data. Fujii said the commission seeks to “catch up” in data collection and highlighted maps showing monitoring gaps.

- Climate and recharge: in response to questions, staff said rainfall shows a drying trend over the past century and that recharge is likely declining. Fujii noted ongoing uncertainty about how land‑cover change and invasive species affect recharge: “I think any forest is better than none. But whether or not the natives capture more water than the invasives, I think that's getting looked into.”

- Designated water‑management areas and water‑use permits: staff reviewed the difference between statewide permitting (well construction, pump‑installation and stream permits) and the additional water‑use permit issued only inside designated water‑management areas, which allocates how much water an applicant may withdraw and requires more detailed review.

Context and next steps

Staff said Lahaina is a near‑term priority for sustainable‑yield reevaluation and water‑use permit reviews because the designation there generated a large number of permit applications, many still incomplete. The commission also plans a framework update to the Hawaii Water Plan and is reviewing U.S. Geological Survey climate/recharge work to inform future revisions of sustainable yields.

Ending: Commission staff urged more cross‑agency data sharing and said filling staffing and commissioner vacancies would help the agency meet monitoring and permitting priorities.","Commission on Water Resource Management staff reviewed how Hawaii manages freshwater: definitions of sustainable yield, designated water-management areas, monitoring gaps and planned deep monitoring wells. Presenters emphasized data shortfalls, climate impacts on recharge and prioritizing Lahaina for updated assessments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Agencies push for closer collaboration on funding, data sharing and resilience for small water utilities

PUC outlines regulatory role, pending rate cases and emergency Punalu‘u request

Commission describes Kapakai (Kapaa kai) analysis requirement and seeks better community verification

Water Commission outlines groundwater limits, monitoring gaps and need for more data