Commission authorizes chair to finalize MOU for Ulupono‑funded graphic design of Hawaii Water Plan framework

HONOLULU — The Commission on Water Resource Management on May 20 voted unanimously to authorize the chair to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ulupono Initiative, LLC for professional graphic design services to support an updated Hawaii Water Plan framework. Commissioners asked that the MOU explicitly confirm that CWRM retains final approval of content.

Lede: Commissioners authorized the chair to finalize an MOU allowing Ulupono to contract and pay a graphic designer to develop a more visually accessible Hawaii Water Plan framework, with CWRM staff overseeing content and requiring language that the product reflect the commission’s objectives.

Nut graf: The Ulupono Initiative offered to fund design services (approximately $30,000 based on preliminary research) as a gift of service; state ethics staff told the commission the proposed gift did not violate ethics guidelines for gifts and conflicts of interest, and the commission asked staff and the attorney general’s office to include a clear edit in the MOU to ensure the commission retains the final say on content.

What the MOU covers and discussion - Scope: Ulupono would select and pay a professional designer directly to translate CWRM’s updated framework content into a polished, accessible document to improve public comprehension and interagency use. No state funds are proposed to change hands; Ulupono will contract and pay the consultant. - Oversight and content control: commissioners emphasized that while the service is a gift, the finished product must reflect the commission’s policy positions and content. The chair and staff confirmed they will retain final approval and close editorial control; staff will work with the attorney general’s office to incorporate explicit language. - Ethics clearance: staff said the Hawaii State Ethics Commission reviewed the proposed arrangement and concluded the gift of service did not violate rules governing gifts, fair treatment or conflicts of interest.

Action taken - Motion to authorize the chair to finalize and execute the MOU with Ulupono and to make non‑substantive edits, with the commission’s requested clarifying edits regarding content approval — motion approved unanimously (7–0).

Clarifying details - Gift amount: estimated cost of contracted graphic‑design services roughly $30,000 based on prior projects and market research; Ulupono selects and pays the designer directly. - Oversight: the commission will provide content, review draft products and must have final approval; staff will work with the attorney general to document CWRM’s approval authority in the MOU. - Ethics: the State Ethics Commission advised that the in‑kind gift (gift of service) was allowable under state ethics rules.

Provenance (transcript evidence) - topicintro: {"block_id":"t-8035.75","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Aloha mai kakou, chair, commissioners. Olis Kau'inoa. My name is Liz Rusev... Item b1 is to authorize the chairperson to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Ulupono Initiative, LLC..."} - topfinish: {"block_id":"t-8874.96","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Motion has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor of the motion, please raise your hand or say aye... Motion passes unanimously with 7 vote."}

Speakers - Liz Rusev, Hydrologist and Planner, Planning Branch, Commission on Water Resource Management (presented the item) - Colin Lau, Deputy Attorney General (advised on MOU language)

Authorities and compliance - State ethics guidance (opinion provided by Hawaii State Ethics Commission regarding gifts and conflicts of interest)

Community relevance and follow up - Geographies: statewide — the Hawaii Water Plan framework is a statewide instrument intended to guide component plans and county plan updates - Funding sources: in‑kind gift from Ulupono Initiative (private funding for consultant fees) - Implementation: staff will finalize language with counsel and return an executed MOU and will track design deliverables and public distribution.

Searchable tags:["Ulupono","Hawaii Water Plan","graphic design","gift of service"]

Salience - overall:0.18 - overall_justification: Modest procedural action to improve communications and public access to the state’s Hawaii Water Plan framework; not a regulatory decision but supports public engagement and transparency.