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Committee approves $750,000 increase for Naapili and Honokahau water‑treatment upgrades
Summary
The Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee recommended first reading of two companion bills to recognize an additional $750,000 in intergovernmental funding for countywide water‑supply upgrades. The funds will finance granular activated carbon (GAC) filter replacement and consolidate treatment for four wells in the Napili/Honokahau well
The Maui County Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee recommended first reading of two companion bills that increase intergovernmental revenue and appropriate an additional $750,000 for the Department of Water Supply’s countywide upgrades and replacements capital improvement projects.
Budget language in Bill 100 increases estimated intergovernmental revenue and appropriates $750,000 to countywide water‑supply upgrades and replacements. Bill 101 recognizes the additional amount in an intergovernmental agreement for a loan through the State of Hawaii’s Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. Director John Stufflebean told the committee the state confirmed that loan funds are committed and that the loan includes 100% principal forgiveness.
Stufflebean said the project replaces granular activated carbon (GAC) filters at the Napili and Honokahau well fields and consolidates treatment so a single treatment train can serve up to four wells. “It’s a replacement of a treatment process that…makes it more efficient by treating it by consolidating the water and treating water from several of our wells,” Stufflebean said. He said the change does not produce additional water but improves treatment efficiency and operations.
The department said the project’s estimated cost increased from about $3.0 million in early planning to $3.75 million based on updated bids and cost estimates; the additional $750,000 covers that revision. Committee members asked technical questions about capacity and location; staff said the treatment system is sited where well flows converge and that the upgrade consolidates operations rather than increasing supply.
No public testimony was provided on the item. The committee approved the motion to recommend first reading of both bills; the motion was moved by Member Ou Hodgins and seconded by Member Gabe Johnson. The committee recorded eight yes votes and one excused member when it took the final vote.
Department staff said the state revolving fund loan covers the project and that principal forgiveness was confirmed; staff did not report a county match requirement for the amount discussed during the meeting. The committee forwarded both bills to the council for first reading.
