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DHHL reports progress on water policy plan: reservations, beneficiary training and project-level gains
Summary
At its June meeting DHHL staff reviewed the department's water policy plan implementation, citing progress on water reservations, beneficiary training cohorts, changes to well permitting notifications and project development activity in Kona, Maui and West Kauai.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands reported on June 16 that implementation of its water policy plan has produced measurable progress in protecting and developing water for trust lands, including gains in beneficiary training, procedural changes to well permitting notices and progress on source-development projects.
Jonathan Shoyer, the department's water-policy consultant, summarized the policy's origins and purpose. The policy, adopted in 2014 after beneficiary consultation, established a state-wide, commission-endorsed approach to water issues on DHHL lands rather than ad hoc decisions. Shoyer said the policy changed how the department engages external water authorities and communities and has helped in securing reservations and in building beneficiary trust.
Sharika Anana, DHHL water resources specialist, outlined recent achievements: more visible advocacy at county and state water boards; beneficiary empowerment through the Kuhiliao Center's water-law leadership training (additional cohorts completed); progress on priority source development projects, including work in North Kona and Maui; and successful advocacy that permits the department to receive notices of well-construction/pump-installation permit filings so DHHL can review and comment even in non-designated water-management areas.
Looking forward the department said it will continue beneficiary training, pursue water reservations and protection of existing reservations, continue due diligence for potential acquisition of the Molokai irrigation system, and advance source development on West Kauai and Maui. Staff said they would present more detailed project-level updates in future meetings.
Why it matters: Water access is a fundamental enabler for homestead development, agriculture and long-term land use. The department described the policy and the implementation work as efforts to ensure DHHL lands are not left dry while water is allocated elsewhere.
