Commission approves MOU with Ulupono Initiative to fund six‑month outreach pilot for water commission communications

The Commission on Water Resource Management voted to authorize the chair to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ulupono Initiative to fund professional communications services designed to increase public and legislative awareness of the commission’s work.

Lucy Staff, a hydrologist in the planning branch who presented the item, said the proposed MOU would provide a social‑media and email‑newsletter pilot aimed at two audiences: the general public and state elected officials and their staff. The quoted cost estimate in the submittal is about $31,000 plus tax for the six‑month pilot; Ulupono offered to fund the pilot for six months and allow staff to evaluate continuation in February.

On the MOU’s roles and approvals, Staff read an authority clause from the draft MOU: “Seawarm shall retain final authority to approve any communication materials produced as part of this effort and shall determine in its sole discretion whether to incorporate any communication materials produced into its public outreach.” The commission’s staff said the arrangement is a gift of service; Ulupono would pay the consultant directly and no state funds would be exchanged for the pilot.

Ethics and lobbying: Staff said the State Ethics Commission reviewed the proposal and advised that, because some outreach materials could meet the legal definition of lobbying, the commission would need to make a joint report to the Ethics Commission when the e‑blast content is transmitted to the legislature. The staff said the reporting requirement would be handled on a case‑by‑case basis and that the Ethics Commission had indicated the practice is permissible if reported in advance (or as required).

Ulupono’s role and limits: Jeremy Kimura, freshwater sector director for the Ulupono Initiative, told the commission that the foundation’s role would be to fund and help shape an outreach product, not to control content. “We don’t have a need to put our name on this at all,” Kimura said. “We’re not advertising for it. But we want to utilize the resources and knowledge that we have to help the water commission do a better job in getting information out there.” Lucy Staff and Ulupono representatives said the commission would retain editorial control and final approval of any materials before distribution.

Commissioners asked about sustainability and next steps: several commissioners expressed interest in metrics and whether the model could be sustained after the pilot period. Staff said the pilot is intended to provide metrics (open rates, audience reach) and an editorial calendar; if the pilot is useful the commission or staff could seek continuing funding or develop internal capacity to maintain the outreach.

Formal action: The commission authorized the chair to enter into and finalize the MOU and to make non‑substantial edits as appropriate. A motion to approve the MOU and the gift of service was moved and seconded and carried unanimously on roll call (6–0).

Short clarifying details - Estimated pilot cost: approximately $31,000 plus tax for six months (Ulupono to fund initial six months). - Ethics reporting: the State Ethics Commission advised that e‑blast communication to the legislature may require case‑by‑case reporting; staff will follow the commission’s reporting obligations. - Control: The commission retains final editorial approval of any outreach materials.

Ending: The MOU authorizes a short pilot to test whether dedicated, professional communications will broaden public and legislative understanding of the commission’s work. Staff agreed to report pilot metrics and recommended next steps to the commission after the initial six months.