Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waimea Nui Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts Waimea Nui regional plan update and approves allocation of 32 county water credits to community development project
Summary
The commission adopted the Waimea Nui Regional Plan update and approved a request by Waimea Nui Community Development Corporation for up to 32 Hawaii County water credits to support the first phase of a community development initiative; the county water department signaled support.
The Hawaiian Homes Commission adopted the Waimea Nui Regional Plan update for 2025 and approved a county water credit allocation request by the Waimea Nui Community Development Corporation (CDC) at its Sept. 15 meeting. The actions clear planning and water‑allocation steps for a multi‑phased community and infrastructure initiative in Waimea (Hawaii Island).
The regional plan update reflects a multiyear, beneficiary‑led planning process and incorporates priority projects identified by beneficiaries during public consultation. DHHL planning staff said the plan supersedes an earlier 2009 planning document and incorporates public feedback gathered in several beneficiary consultations earlier in 2025.
Separately, the commission approved a request from Waimea Nui CDC to allocate up to 32 water credits from an existing DHHL allocation agreement with Hawaii County Department of Water Supply. DHHL staff said prior allocations to Laulāmilo and Pu‘ukapu total 741 water credits, of which 559 have already been allocated; about 182 credits remained. The CDC requested 32 credits to support Phase I of the Waimea Nui Community Initiative, equal to roughly 20% of domestic water needs for the phase and leaving the department approximately 150 credits for future uses under the current agreements.
DHHL staff explained that county water credits (called equivalent units by Hawaii County) are finite: one water credit equals the output of a typical 5/8‑inch meter (about 400 gallons per day). Because DHHL’s long‑term homestead demand can consume its water credit allocations, the department treats requests for credits against a priority schedule. Waimea CDC’s request fell under a category that can be considered with commission approval where no immediate DHHL homestead projects would otherwise need those credits within four years. DHHL staff recommended allocation, and the county deputy director of the Department of Water Supply attended the meeting and expressed departmental support.
Commissioners approved the Waimea Nui Regional Plan update and the CDC allocation request after staff confirmed that the Laulāmilo and Pu‘ukapu uses and earlier plan steps had been considered. The commission also asked staff and community partners to continue coordination on infrastructure sequencing and to pursue water‑conserving or water‑reuse strategies (including wastewater treatment reuse) to reduce demand pressure.
Ending — context and next steps The plan’s adoption provides an updated framework for DHHL, beneficiaries and county partners to sequence infrastructure, housing and community projects in Waimea Nui. The water‑credit allocation will allow the CDC to pursue Phase I infrastructure and supports a larger effort to secure funding, permits and construction sequencing. DHHL and county staff said they will continue coordination on transmission, metering and environmental requirements for water service.
